Cork comes out in force against Israel matches
There was outrage at a public meeting on Leeside last night following the FAI’s decision to go ahead with two upcoming football fixtures between the Republic of Ireland and Israel.
Hosted by Solidarity at the Quay Co-op on Sullivan’s Quay yesterday evening, the meeting brought together opposition to the controversial Nations League fixtures scheduled for this autumn which will now both be played at a neutral venue.
Speaking ahead of last night’s meeting, Solidarity councillor Brian McCarthy said his party firmly opposes the fixtures regardless of where they are played.
Cllr McCarthy said: “The FAI and the Government are pressing ahead despite the opposition of players, fans, and the public.”
The decision to move the fixtures to a neutral venue outside of Ireland and Israel was condemned by Cllr McCarthy who described the move as “a cynical attempt to cut across the growing opposition and prevent massive protest on the streets”.
“We can’t let that succeed and this meeting will discuss how to take the campaign forward,” he said.
Out of the Government’s hands
A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport told the Cork Independent that the Government and Sport Ireland have no role in the organisation of such fixtures.
The spokesperson said: “National governing bodies of sport, such as the FAI, are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures, whether in domestic or international competitions.”
However, Solidarity politician and former TD, Mick Barry said the matter is not a question of separating sport and politics.
He said that, by going ahead the games, the FAI is complicit with the Israeli regime’s efforts to normalise its apartheid system and its genocide.
“Over 1,000 Palestinian athletes have been killed since the genocide in Gaza began,” said Mr Barry.
He continued: “Israeli football teams are building stadiums on stolen Palestinian land as part of the settlement project in the occupied West Bank. It’s important we all take a stand against these games and in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
Palestinian FA supports FAI’s decision
In a recent statement, the Palestinian FA expressed its appreciation for the “principled positions” taken by the FAI in support of the rights of the Palestinian people and Palestinian athletes.
The statement read: “The Palestinian FA also affirms its respect for the decision made by the Football Association of Ireland within the framework of its sporting and international obligations, in a manner that enables it to continue fulfilling its noble mission of serving football and promoting the values of justice, solidarity, and mutual respect.”
The FAI said it remains deeply conscious of the suffering and devastation being endured by civilians in Gaza.
Though the FAI submitted a proposal in 2025 calling for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions for a breach of UEFA statutes, the Irish association said it does recognise UEFA competition rules and regulations which outline that if an association refuses to play a match, then that fixture will be forfeited, and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition.