Group removed from Dept of Sport following Israel protest

A group of protesters occupied the lobby of the Department of Sport in Dublin, demanding the cancellation of two Nations League football fixtures between Ireland and Israel scheduled for October. The activists, identifying as #StopTheGame, occupied the government building on Leeson Lane, stating their protest would intensify until the games are stopped.

The group criticized the government and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for pressuring the FAI to proceed with the matches. They argued that Ireland, as a member of the International Criminal Court, should not engage in "sportswashing" and is failing its moral, humanitarian, and legal duties by playing these games.

Independent Dublin City Councillor Cieran Perry, a spokesperson for the group, suggested that the decision to withdraw from the ties should be made by the FAI and the government, rather than placing pressure on players. Last month, the FAI announced that the Republic of Ireland's home Nations League game against Israel would not be held in Ireland. Instead, it will take place on October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia, under closed-door conditions.

The FAI cited "operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil" as the reason for moving the match to a neutral venue. The away fixture, scheduled for September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, will proceed as planned.

“

The Government has placed pressure on the FAI, who are also culpable, to fulfil these fixtures. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was one of the first to demand that the FAI play these games. Ireland is a part of the International Criminal Court and as such should not be engaging in sportswashing. We are failing in our moral, humanitarian and legal obligations as a country in playing these games.