FAI...New Manager is Heimir Hallgrimsson

[trueblue1234]

Given what's happening at the minute the time is perfect for Ireland to withdraw from this game. Surely the players themselves are now having 2nd thoughts about playing. They could hit a real rise of global sentiment and actually do something right. If 25 of the squad pull out and say they're unfit what would be the punishment? I think now's the time to take that action. Would love the FAI to take the action but if they don't I hope the players do it themselves.

[Armagh18]

Given what's happening at the minute the time is perfect for Ireland to withdraw from this game. Surely the players themselves are now having 2nd thoughts about playing. They could hit a real rise of global sentiment and actually do something right. If 25 of the squad pull out and say they're unfit what would be the punishment? I think now's the time to take that action. Would love the FAI to take the action but if they don't I hope the players do it themselves.

Don't think they will. But would love to see it

[tonto1888]

Given what's happening at the minute the time is perfect for Ireland to withdraw from this game. Surely the players themselves are now having 2nd thoughts about playing. They could hit a real rise of global sentiment and actually do something right. If 25 of the squad pull out and say they're unfit what would be the punishment? I think now's the time to take that action. Would love the FAI to take the action but if they don't I hope the players do it themselves.

front and back page of the Irish News today has the manager saying nobody wants to play the game.
Then dont play it!!

[seafoid]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml90JjRPxdE

[Pub Bore]

Has the North not got a right few players from England over the years?  FA invested in them, brought them through the ranks and O'Neill picked them?  Of the squad he announced the other day, 10 were born outside NI.  I wonder what his views are on the Morocco team, most of whom were born in France and Spain, or the players from all round Europe who play for Croatia and Kosovo etc?

When push comes to shove, a lot of those soccer boys are Uncle Toms.

[seafoid]

Given what's happening at the minute the time is perfect for Ireland to withdraw from this game. Surely the players themselves are now having 2nd thoughts about playing. They could hit a real rise of global sentiment and actually do something right. If 25 of the squad pull out and say they're unfit what would be the punishment? I think now's the time to take that action. Would love the FAI to take the action but if they don't I hope the players do it themselves.

If the Duffer was playing he would stand up. But not sure about the current squad.

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/09/18/uefa-reject-fais-request-to-be-kept-apart-from-israel-in-future-competition-draws/

Uefa have rejected a request by the Football Association of Ireland to be kept apart from Israel in future competition draws. European football's governing body keep certain countries apart on political grounds, including Spain and Gibraltar, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Ukraine and Russia.

FAI chief executive David Courell asked Uefa earlier this year whether Ireland could be similarly kept apart from Israel, but the European governing body rejected his request, telling him these decisions were not based on "public sentiment


Surveys among Irish fans and professional footballers in Ireland have found majorities favouring a boycott, while the FAI point to an EGM vote among members in July that they say gives them a mandate to fulfil the games to safeguard the financial interests of Irish football.

Courell says the FAI will not host members of the Israel FA at a prematch dinner before the 'home' game, as is standard practice. Courell also says the FAI contacted the Israelis to ask not to arrange an engagement before the reverse fixture in Hungary, as the FAI would not be attending it. Courell says the FAI must otherwise fulfil all of the match protocols that Uefa deem mandatory. These include the flying of national flags, the playing of national anthems, and the captains' prematch exchange of a commemorative pennant.
Handshakes between players are also mandatory, but the Irish players have been given the space to decide if they wish to proceed with them, or stage another kind of protest around the game. The Irish squad assemble for the international window on Sunday evening and are expected to discuss a possible protest among themselves in advance of the first Israel fixture, but after the opening game against Kosovo next Thursday.
The FAI are "scaling back" on a number of elements around the game, said Courell. This includes removing sponsors' names and logos from stadiums and interview settings. Asked whether this was a decision made solely by the FAI or whether it came at the behest of commercial partners, Courell said he could not give a definitive answer as he was not privy to the conversations. The FAI intend to replace sponsors' messages on LED boards in the Bačka Topola stadium with 'Respect' messaging, though this is subject to approval by Uefa. The wording of these messages must also be approved by Uefa.
The FAI say non-fulfilment of the fixtures would cost the Association approximately €5.5 million of direct costs, and say it would have several other sporting impacts, heightening the likelihood of relegation from League C and harming seeding for future competitions.
"Please do not interpret this as me trivialising the atrocities that are happening in Gaza," said Courell. "I am acutely conscious of that and am hugely empathetic with it. But equally, I can't just take my FAI CEO hat off and leave it to the side. I have to do my job."

FAI chief executive David Courell asked Uefa earlier this year whether Ireland could be similarly kept apart from Israel, but the European governing body rejected his request, telling him these decisions were not based on "public sentiment

[weareros]

Chris Atherton's dad setting the record straight on bloodlines.

https://x.com/Stephen05127196/status/2100908020867682490

[seafoid]

They are talking about the match on the radio again. Public opinion is firmly against it.
Maybe something will happen.

[trueblue1234]

I honestly think something has to. If not from the FAI from the players. They couldn't have asked for a better week to make a statement. I hope it's grabbed with both hands.

[Milltown Row2]

Has the North not got a right few players from England over the years?  FA invested in them, brought them through the ranks and O'Neill picked them?  Of the squad he announced the other day, 10 were born outside NI.  I wonder what his views are on the Morocco team, most of whom were born in France and Spain, or the players from all round Europe who play for Croatia and Kosovo etc?

When push comes to shove, a lot of those soccer boys are Uncle Toms.

Big Tony Cas! Jack didn't care too much either

It happens as the rules allow it.

Some moaning though

[seafoid]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0919/1592190-rte-to-strip-back-coverage-of-ireland-v-israel-fixtures/

[Wildweasel74]

Big Tony put his heart in for Ireland, i not complain about him.

[tonto1888]

They are talking about the match on the radio again. Public opinion is firmly against it.
Maybe something will happen.

think they will just refuse the hand shakes and turn their back on the anthem or something like that

[Milltown Row2]

They are talking about the match on the radio again. Public opinion is firmly against it.
Maybe something will happen.

think they will just refuse the hand shakes and turn their back on the anthem or something like that

Hopefully they'll get the same deserved stick Ed is getting, will the Irish team be 'Cancelled' now?