The FAI’s request for the Republic of Ireland’s home fixture against Israel in the UEFA Nations League to be moved to a neutral venue does not change the fact that the game should not be played in the first place, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on sport, said:
“Moving the fixture to another country, possibly Hungary, is an attempt to brush this controversy under the rug and will deny people in Ireland an opportunity to engage in peaceful protest.
“What’s at stake here is far bigger than a football match. Israel is engaged in a genocide in Palestine and ethnic cleansing in Lebanon.
“Ireland should not be facilitating the sportswashing of a rogue nation which has been committing war crimes for nearly three years.
“I am also very concerned about the pressure that this decision will put on the players, and I would again appeal to the Government and the FAI to intervene.
“The Social Democrats will be proceeding with a Dáil motion on Wednesday, which calls on the Government to advocate, at national and international level, for Israel to be excluded from all sporting competitions as long as the genocide and illegal occupation of Palestinian territory continues. In doing so, it must also support Irish sporting bodies in boycotting fixtures, events and competitions where Israel is participating.
“The FAI board’s decision to seek UEFA approval for the home game to be moved abroad will not address the moral and ethical issues of our national team lining up opposite an Israeli side in the name of sport.
“Today’s announcement changes nothing and will only amplify calls for a complete boycott of this fixture by Ireland.”
June 8, 2026