Nations League

[Truthsayer]

If you had anything about you, you would relish the game against Israel. Ireland aren't a big enough nation to make a stand which makes an impact rightly or wrongly.

Many wouldn't have your subservient mindset

Certainly bigger things than football going on no doubt.

There always will be. There are 130 armed conflicts in the world at the minute. If it wasn't Palestine it would be something else. A few hundred thousand have died in the Ethiopian civil war since 2020.
Let sport be a distraction from the world.

That's the one! Israel is carrying out the mass murder of tens of thousands of innocent civilians but hey! forget about that, let's play a game of football against them!
Sportswash that aul genocide talk!

I don't think you understand what sportswashing is.

It isn't getting drawn against a country you are currently trying to have banned from international football.

It is taking money from a company funding a genocide and refusing to allow a discussion, nevermind a vote.

Latest seems to be the FAI don't intend to play the game in Dublin. They expect a security assessment to support them and give them cover from UEFA.

But the FAI executive committee plan on voting on the approach. This is the same body that got the Israeli ban motion passed so quite possible they go with boycott. That means at best expulsion from the Nations league and a punitive fine, at worst a full 8 year Russian style ban, likely something in the middle.

Can get into the semantics of what sportswashing is ..
This definition works for me...
"Sportswashing is a term used to describe the practice of governments, individuals, corporations, or other groups using sports to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing. A form of propaganda, sportswashing can be accomplished through hosting sporting events, purchasing or sponsoring sporting teams, or participating in a sport."
Hopefully the FAI do the right thing.
To even contemplate not only playing them but give up home advantage to accommodate their sports washing would be appalling.

[Baile Brigín 2]

If you had anything about you, you would relish the game against Israel. Ireland aren't a big enough nation to make a stand which makes an impact rightly or wrongly.

Many wouldn't have your subservient mindset

Certainly bigger things than football going on no doubt.

There always will be. There are 130 armed conflicts in the world at the minute. If it wasn't Palestine it would be something else. A few hundred thousand have died in the Ethiopian civil war since 2020.
Let sport be a distraction from the world.

That's the one! Israel is carrying out the mass murder of tens of thousands of innocent civilians but hey! forget about that, let's play a game of football against them!
Sportswash that aul genocide talk!

I don't think you understand what sportswashing is.

It isn't getting drawn against a country you are currently trying to have banned from international football.

It is taking money from a company funding a genocide and refusing to allow a discussion, nevermind a vote.

Latest seems to be the FAI don't intend to play the game in Dublin. They expect a security assessment to support them and give them cover from UEFA.

But the FAI executive committee plan on voting on the approach. This is the same body that got the Israeli ban motion passed so quite possible they go with boycott. That means at best expulsion from the Nations league and a punitive fine, at worst a full 8 year Russian style ban, likely something in the middle.

Can get into the semantics of what sportswashing is ..
This definition works for me...
"Sportswashing is a term used to describe the practice of governments, individuals, corporations, or other groups using sports to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing. A form of propaganda, sportswashing can be accomplished through hosting sporting events, purchasing or sponsoring sporting teams, or participating in a sport."
Hopefully the FAI do the right thing.
To even contemplate not only playing them but give up home advantage to accommodate their sports washing would be appalling.

Israels football team existing isn't a sportswash.

The smart money is on the FAI playing the game but under some form of protest, likely in somewhere like London in a smaller stadium, no tickets sold, no diplomatic stuff like anthems or blazers. Basically play it because they have to, but with our noses pinched. Probably the best outcome in a shite situation.

[Truthsayer]

If you had anything about you, you would relish the game against Israel. Ireland aren't a big enough nation to make a stand which makes an impact rightly or wrongly.

Many wouldn't have your subservient mindset

Certainly bigger things than football going on no doubt.

There always will be. There are 130 armed conflicts in the world at the minute. If it wasn't Palestine it would be something else. A few hundred thousand have died in the Ethiopian civil war since 2020.
Let sport be a distraction from the world.

That's the one! Israel is carrying out the mass murder of tens of thousands of innocent civilians but hey! forget about that, let's play a game of football against them!
Sportswash that aul genocide talk!

I don't think you understand what sportswashing is.

It isn't getting drawn against a country you are currently trying to have banned from international football.

It is taking money from a company funding a genocide and refusing to allow a discussion, nevermind a vote.

Latest seems to be the FAI don't intend to play the game in Dublin. They expect a security assessment to support them and give them cover from UEFA.

But the FAI executive committee plan on voting on the approach. This is the same body that got the Israeli ban motion passed so quite possible they go with boycott. That means at best expulsion from the Nations league and a punitive fine, at worst a full 8 year Russian style ban, likely something in the middle.

Can get into the semantics of what sportswashing is ..
This definition works for me...
"Sportswashing is a term used to describe the practice of governments, individuals, corporations, or other groups using sports to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing. A form of propaganda, sportswashing can be accomplished through hosting sporting events, purchasing or sponsoring sporting teams, or participating in a sport."
Hopefully the FAI do the right thing.
To even contemplate not only playing them but give up home advantage to accommodate their sports washing would be appalling.

Israels football team existing isn't a sportswash.

The smart money is on the FAI playing the game but under some form of protest, likely in somewhere like London in a smaller stadium, no tickets sold, no diplomatic stuff like anthems or blazers. Basically play it because they have to, but with our noses pinched. Probably the best outcome in a shite situation.

Playing Israel is accommodating their sportswashing.
You're correct... that is probably what will happen.. shouldn't play them anywhere imo.

[Baile Brigín 2]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0218/1559202-drogheda-chairperson-resisting-expectation-to-resign/

[SaffronSports]

Nothing would make me more proud to be Irish than refusing to play those bastards regardless of the consequences. 

[Armagh18]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0218/1559202-drogheda-chairperson-resisting-expectation-to-resign/

Hope Drogheda get relegated so

[gallsman]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0218/1559202-drogheda-chairperson-resisting-expectation-to-resign/

Hope Drogheda get relegated so

So to have a go at the owners you think the players and fans should suffer? Moronic comment. The club's supporters and sponsors have backed her.

Benjamin Boycott is an incredible name in this situation.

[Baile Brigín 2]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0218/1559202-drogheda-chairperson-resisting-expectation-to-resign/

Hope Drogheda get relegated so

I don't think she is going anywhere. She was a concession from the Yanks, very much the fans eyes and ears.

I don't think I have ever seen a sponsor come out and directly threaten to pull their money if she is removed.

[Baile Brigín 2]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/02/19/stephen-bradley-some-things-are-bigger-than-football-genocide-is-most-definitely-one-of-them/

[Main Street]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/02/19/stephen-bradley-some-things-are-bigger-than-football-genocide-is-most-definitely-one-of-them/

So should SR be drawn against an Israeli team in European competition later this year, can we depend on Bradley turning down millions of euro, progress in Europe by refusing to play them?

[seafoid]

You do what you can and FAI will do f**k all it seems.. all talk, then your man gives off about the GAA lol

The perfect draw to shut him up lol,

Mental gymnastics to say it's ok to play Israel

I'm not saying it's ok to play Israel.

I'm saying Irish soccer will be set back 20 years if they don't.

The smugness from within the GAA who wouldn't even allow a discussion about a genocide supporting sponsor seems a bit off. Surely the rock and a hard place concept is understood?

UEFA/FIFA will  never ban Israel
US/UK/EU etc will never condemn Israel
Israel have  done unspeakable things in Palestine  for almost 8 decades. They will  continue to do so.
The Zionist  lobby will ensure  attack  against any person,  organisation or country who speak out at the genocide

While it sickens many of us  to see the terror state  continue to  carry out genocide, and still  be involved  in sports, Eurovision etc,  i don't think  any ban/condemnation/embargo etc against Israel (or their teams) is forthcoming... so  do we put ourselves in the sporting/Eurovision/political/economic wilderness for decades to come, knowing full well nothing will ever change?

https://www.notus.org/perspectives/the-coming-conservative-turn-against-israel-goes-much-deeper-than-you-realize
Last July, then-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote a social media post accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza.  Steve Bannon, the former aide to Donald Trump and influential podcaster, defended her. "Marjorie Taylor Greene just reflects her constituency," Bannon told The New York Times. He described her constituency as "hard-core evangelical Christians."
Young Republicans, including young evangelicals, have become increasingly disenchanted with their party's uncritical support for Israel. Greene was speaking for them.

So the politics are changing.  Last year the Europeans were working on sanctions
https://www.ft.com/content/470b61ff-aa1c-487f-a9ae-477b5c142a53
 A group of 25 economists, including 12 Nobel laureates, said there was a growing risk that European states might impose targeted sanctions on Israel, which the economists warned would inflict "severe damage on science, trade and employment" in Israel.


The boycott will happen with the sanctions

https://youtu.be/rMe8ltiH2IQ&t=99s

[Armagh18]

You do what you can and FAI will do f**k all it seems.. all talk, then your man gives off about the GAA lol

The perfect draw to shut him up lol,

Mental gymnastics to say it's ok to play Israel

I'm not saying it's ok to play Israel.

I'm saying Irish soccer will be set back 20 years if they don't.

The smugness from within the GAA who wouldn't even allow a discussion about a genocide supporting sponsor seems a bit off. Surely the rock and a hard place concept is understood?

UEFA/FIFA will  never ban Israel
US/UK/EU etc will never condemn Israel
Israel have  done unspeakable things in Palestine  for almost 8 decades. They will  continue to do so.
The Zionist  lobby will ensure  attack  against any person,  organisation or country who speak out at the genocide

While it sickens many of us  to see the terror state  continue to  carry out genocide, and still  be involved  in sports, Eurovision etc,  i don't think  any ban/condemnation/embargo etc against Israel (or their teams) is forthcoming... so  do we put ourselves in the sporting/Eurovision/political/economic wilderness for decades to come, knowing full well nothing will ever change?

https://www.notus.org/perspectives/the-coming-conservative-turn-against-israel-goes-much-deeper-than-you-realize
Last July, then-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote a social media post accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza.  Steve Bannon, the former aide to Donald Trump and influential podcaster, defended her. "Marjorie Taylor Greene just reflects her constituency," Bannon told The New York Times. He described her constituency as "hard-core evangelical Christians."
Young Republicans, including young evangelicals, have become increasingly disenchanted with their party's uncritical support for Israel. Greene was speaking for them.

So the politics are changing.  Last year the Europeans were working on sanctions
https://www.ft.com/content/470b61ff-aa1c-487f-a9ae-477b5c142a53
 A group of 25 economists, including 12 Nobel laureates, said there was a growing risk that European states might impose targeted sanctions on Israel, which the economists warned would inflict "severe damage on science, trade and employment" in Israel.


The boycott will happen with the sanctions

https://youtu.be/rMe8ltiH2IQ&t=99s

I never knew that.

Isn't she the one Trump fell out with over the Epstein files? Fair play to her.

[Baile Brigín 2]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/02/19/stephen-bradley-some-things-are-bigger-than-football-genocide-is-most-definitely-one-of-them/

So should SR be drawn against an Israeli team in European competition later this year, can we depend on Bradley turning down millions of euro, progress in Europe by refusing to play them?

That's what he said, yes.

It's all in the article if you want to read it.

[seafoid]

You do what you can and FAI will do f**k all it seems.. all talk, then your man gives off about the GAA lol

The perfect draw to shut him up lol,

Mental gymnastics to say it's ok to play Israel

I'm not saying it's ok to play Israel.

I'm saying Irish soccer will be set back 20 years if they don't.

The smugness from within the GAA who wouldn't even allow a discussion about a genocide supporting sponsor seems a bit off. Surely the rock and a hard place concept is understood?

UEFA/FIFA will  never ban Israel
US/UK/EU etc will never condemn Israel
Israel have  done unspeakable things in Palestine  for almost 8 decades. They will  continue to do so.
The Zionist  lobby will ensure  attack  against any person,  organisation or country who speak out at the genocide

While it sickens many of us  to see the terror state  continue to  carry out genocide, and still  be involved  in sports, Eurovision etc,  i don't think  any ban/condemnation/embargo etc against Israel (or their teams) is forthcoming... so  do we put ourselves in the sporting/Eurovision/political/economic wilderness for decades to come, knowing full well nothing will ever change?

https://www.notus.org/perspectives/the-coming-conservative-turn-against-israel-goes-much-deeper-than-you-realize
Last July, then-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote a social media post accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza.  Steve Bannon, the former aide to Donald Trump and influential podcaster, defended her. "Marjorie Taylor Greene just reflects her constituency," Bannon told The New York Times. He described her constituency as "hard-core evangelical Christians."
Young Republicans, including young evangelicals, have become increasingly disenchanted with their party's uncritical support for Israel. Greene was speaking for them.

So the politics are changing.  Last year the Europeans were working on sanctions
https://www.ft.com/content/470b61ff-aa1c-487f-a9ae-477b5c142a53
 A group of 25 economists, including 12 Nobel laureates, said there was a growing risk that European states might impose targeted sanctions on Israel, which the economists warned would inflict "severe damage on science, trade and employment" in Israel.


The boycott will happen with the sanctions

https://youtu.be/rMe8ltiH2IQ&t=99s

I never knew that.

Isn't she the one Trump fell out with over the Epstein files? Fair play to her.

She is the one . She is very impressive

https://x.com/FeserEdward/status/2007611598425502180
Edward Feser@FeserEdward
·
Jan 4
Whatever you think of MTG, watching the mob savage her for continuing to believe the things the mob itself believed twenty minutes ago has been a sight to behold. We are in the late stages of democracy as Plato described them, and both main parties have succumbed to the madness

[seafoid]

The level of contempt for Israel's genocide in Ireland is very impressive.