Seamus Coleman Voices Concerns Over Upcoming Israel Matches Amid Boycott Calls
Seamus Coleman, the Republic of Ireland defender, expressed his frustration regarding the upcoming matches against Israel in the Nations League, stating that the responsibility for addressing the situation "should not have landed on our toes." Coleman emphasized that he understands the moral implications of the situation and finds it "uncomfortable" for players to have to answer questions about it. The Republic of Ireland's matches against Israel are set for: September 27 at a neutral venue October 4 in Dublin As pressure mounts for a boycott due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed that the games will proceed. FAI CEO David Courell remarked that they had "no choice" but to go ahead, citing potential severe consequences of withdrawal. Earlier this week, Nathan Collins, the team captain, indicated that players who feel strongly about boycotting should have the freedom to do so, while manager Heimir Hallgrimsson highlighted the unfairness of placing this burden on the players. Coleman, who is 37 years old, stated: "I know the difference between right and wrong. It's awful, it is extremely sad... I don't think we should be in this position. Absolutely not." A campaign named 'Stop The Game' has emerged, calling attention to alleged breaches of Uefa and Fifa statutes regarding Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands. The ongoing violence in Gaza has intensified with recent events, where a Hamas-led attack resulted in significant casualties, prompting Israel's military response. Coleman urged that the scheduling of these matches should be handled by the FAI, Uefa, or relevant authorities, rather than placing young players in such a predicament. He reiterated the importance of considering the opinions of the Irish people, acknowledging the complex human aspect intertwined with these decisions.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-28