Sports ministers won't attend Ireland-Israel match

Two Irish sports ministers have declared they will not attend the controversial UEFA Nations League soccer match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel. Ministers Patrick O'Donovan and Charlie McConalogue informed an Oireachtas committee of their decision.

The match is scheduled to take place at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Sunday, October 4. The teams will first meet at a neutral venue on September 27.

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as a form of personal protest

Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O'Sullivan stated he would not attend the game as a personal protest. The ministers confirmed they also would not be present.

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There’d be significant repercussions for them within the UEFA system... which is for them to consider and they’ve made their call and we support their decision

Social Democrats' TD Sinéad Gibney questioned whether the government had discussed potential sanctions with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) if Ireland withdrew from the games. Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue responded that playing the matches was an FAI decision and that significant repercussions within UEFA would follow. He confirmed the government had not sought legal advice on potential sanctions.

When asked if the situation constituted "sportswashing," Mr. McConalogue replied, "No, I don’t believe it’s sportswashing." He emphasized that the government continues to set an international tone regarding recent Israeli actions in Palestine.

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No, I don’t believe it’s sportswashing ... I believe it’s a matter for the footballing bodies to make their decision on

Minister for Media Patrick O'Donovan addressed a question about supporting RTÉ in potentially withdrawing from broadcasting the fixtures, stating the broadcaster had made no approach to his department. He also noted that contacting RTÉ about such matters would be overstepping his remit.

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We, as a Government, make a decision that we’ve led out and continue to lead out in relation to setting the tone internationally in relation to the recent Israeli actions in Palestine and will continue to do so.