FAI...New Manager is Heimir Hallgrimsson

[trileacman]

We should be sending the u-17s or a select 11 from the Irish 2nd division out to play the Israeli's for both fixtures and the indefinite future.

Typical of the lack of imagination at the FAI that they couldn't think of fudge to barely pacify UEFA whilst still making it clear that the Irish men's team refuse to play Israel whilst the commit genocide and ethnic displacement. Their comments this week about "oh we couldn't do without the money" were particularly disgusting. They're a stain on the Irish nation but that's nothing new.

[weareros]

UEFA will hammer the FAI if they don't play.

It's grand to preach but how many here paying mortgages would give up their livelihoods to make a stand?

I am against playing the game but the FAI have a duty to their staff who will be gone if funds are gone.

Reports on Siptu members at rte wanted a boycott. Rte are obliged to show it, but are scaling back. So will staff resign over it?

The latest Israel FA outburst should help us. But it's going ahead.

Expect some flash points...

While I do not support the game going ahead, i do have to question some of these actors like Liam Cunningham telling everyone to boycott this and boycott that but is he going to stop taking work from big Hollywood studios/streamers like Warner Bros/HBO (look up their owners). At least Irish bands like Beoga gave up big paychecks. You have to admire that.

[johnnycool]

After the outburst from the Israeli FA over the genocide comments made by Heimir Hallgrimsson, I think Ireland should pull out.

This is sports/cultural whitewashing of the highest order and cannot go on.

Ireland are in the firing line from UEFA, but if they don't make a stand and play the games then it won't be a reflection the Irish national mood on this.

I do feel for the players though, the decision isn't there's to make.

[Milltown Row2]

UEFA will hammer the FAI if they don't play.

It's grand to preach but how many here paying mortgages would give up their livelihoods to make a stand?

I am against playing the game but the FAI have a duty to their staff who will be gone if funds are gone.

Reports on Siptu members at rte wanted a boycott. Rte are obliged to show it, but are scaling back. So will staff resign over it?

The latest Israel FA outburst should help us. But it's going ahead.

Expect some flash points...

So Ed has a duty to pay staff and obligations but gets cancelled and the Irish team seemed to be getting a by ball here..

Lets be clear once the heat came on and Ed's back up crew all decided to walk away, he should have done the same, he hasn't and he'll suffer to a large degree for that, this Ireland team have known for a long long time that they were to play this game and have decided to play it.. Will they protest the players FAI or come to the ground and protest during the match?  could get ugly

[trueblue1234]

I said at the start it shouldn't go ahead. If I was a player I would be thinking I don't need this hassle. The country doesn't want it to go ahead, why put yourself out to play a game that neither you nor your country wants to play because the FAI won't make a call. I'm was hopeful that there'd be a U-turn. Unfortunately looking less likely now.

[Armagh18]

I said at the start it shouldn't go ahead. If I was a player I would be thinking I don't need this hassle. The country doesn't want it to go ahead, why put yourself out to play a game that neither you nor your country wants to play because the FAI won't make a call. I'm was hopeful that there'd be a U-turn. Unfortunately looking less likely now.

Surely 14 or 15 mystery hamstring injuries could hit the camp wven if they didn't want to explicitly say they aren't playing it. Pity someone like McClean wasn't still playing

[Baile Brigín 2]

We should be sending the u-17s or a select 11 from the Irish 2nd division out to play the Israeli's for both fixtures and the indefinite future.

Typical of the lack of imagination at the FAI that they couldn't think of fudge to barely pacify UEFA whilst still making it clear that the Irish men's team refuse to play Israel whilst the commit genocide and ethnic displacement. Their comments this week about "oh we couldn't do without the money" were particularly disgusting. They're a stain on the Irish nation but that's nothing new.

So the same logic the GAA used about Allianz?

Worst case, and possible, is UEFA ban all Irish teams from international competition for 2 years. That is no Irish teams playing any games. That is LoI clubs out of Europe. Mass redundancies, the development of the game hugely hit. While principles cost, the FAI have a duty of care to the gane too.

[trueblue1234]

We should be sending the u-17s or a select 11 from the Irish 2nd division out to play the Israeli's for both fixtures and the indefinite future.

Typical of the lack of imagination at the FAI that they couldn't think of fudge to barely pacify UEFA whilst still making it clear that the Irish men's team refuse to play Israel whilst the commit genocide and ethnic displacement. Their comments this week about "oh we couldn't do without the money" were particularly disgusting. They're a stain on the Irish nation but that's nothing new.

So the same logic the GAA used about Allianz?

Worst case, and possible, is UEFA ban all Irish teams from international competition for 2 years. That is no Irish teams playing any games. That is LoI clubs out of Europe. Mass redundancies, the development of the game hugely hit. While principles cost, the FAI have a duty of care to the gane too.

But it could be a lot less than that. And with the way the last week or two has went UEFA would be very aware that there's the potential for even more boycotts. That the sentiment around this genocide is a lot stronger than people would have thought. UEFA don't want to be in a position of having to ban Spain cause they've previously banned Ireland.

[JoG2]

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41913988.html

[Main Street]

I read that Tony Ward has signed a petition against playing Israel and was described as one of the players who boycotted an Irish Rugby tour of apartheid SA in 1981. Not mentioned was in 1980 Tony had no hesitation in joining the Lions Tour of apartheid SA. Not that I think he's now exhibiting double standards, he eagerly went to SA, he observed the apartheid society and was very quick on his return to give account.

Fwiw as things are I think Ireland should play and hump them out of the competition. The Israel team are in a way being treated as a form of vermin that have to be isolated from open society.
 
The Israel FA just can't help themselves and couldn't care less when they score a blatant own goal by throwing filthy abuse against Heimir, who is the Cliff Richard of modern football management. They tried a similar persistent widespread smear tactics against respected gentle aristocrat of the game Age Hareide the Icelandic manager before a Euro nations play off in Hungary spring 2024 because he staunchly refused that the game be played in Israel. Iceland ended up humping them  4-1 and that was the perfect retort, a deathly blow was struck to their political/football ambitions.

[DuffleKing]

Personal opinion that I wouldn't push on anyone.
I am a sports fan and a supporter of the national team. I go to the Aviva very occasionally.

If they play against Isreal I won't watch the Irish team again until anyone who plays in this game is gone.
The FAI have sold the players out but the players can make their own decisions also.

I understand the reported ramifications of not playing them. It's easy for an armchair supporter to say I don't care - I don't - but the good will of taking a stand will long outlive the impact of a punishment that virtually every other nation will oppose.

[AustinPowers]

Personal opinion that I wouldn't push on anyone.
I am a sports fan and a supporter of the national team. I go to the Aviva very occasionally.

If they play against Isreal I won't watch the Irish team again until anyone who plays in this game is gone.
The FAI have sold the players out but the players can make their own decisions also.

I understand the reported ramifications of not playing them. It's easy for an armchair supporter to say I don't care - I don't - but the good will of taking a stand will long outlive the impact of a punishment that virtually every other nation will oppose.

Your own  spin on the Mayo curse?

The  problem lies solely  with UEFA in my book.  Ban Israel, no further decisions needed.

[Captain Scarlet]

The FAI must surely have sounded out the scenario of not playing with UEFA and got it laid out about the consequences. I lay this on UEFA more than anyone.
They were well able to play the white knights with the Somalian ref at the World Cup - boo FIFA and big baddy Trump! - but what about their own house...

If there was any inkling that the tide is turning the FAI should back out.

Literally every foul by an Irish player will be an antisemitic attack! There will be some serious claim of things said too...

[Wildweasel74]

Ireland had anything about them at all, they pull out!

[Milltown Row2]

Ireland had anything about them at all, they pull out!

As much backbone as Ed