'We cannot allow the sportswashing of a genocidal state on Irish soil'

A Donegal county councillor has called on the Football Association of Ireland to make a stand after the Republic of Ireland were drawn against Israel in the Uefa Nations League.

Buncrana-based Jack Murray, Sinn Féin, made the call after Ireland were also drawn with Austria and Kosovo in the four-team group of League B3 of the competition, which kicks off in September.

The FAI overwhelmingly approved a motion to call on Uefa to ban Israel from European club and international competitions in November. Cllr Murray said he believes Ireland should not participate.

“I firmly believe that we should withdraw from the competition completely,” he said. “We cannot allow the sportswashing of a genocidal state on Irish soil.

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“I am so proud that the FAI overwhelmingly called for the expulsion of Israel from UEFA last year. Now we have the opportunity to go further. This is a chance to make a real stand and tell the world that Ireland is horrified at the continuing crimes against humanity that continue in Gaza. Israel should not be allowed to participate in Uefa. They should not be allowed to act like a normal country. And if they try, then we should not facilitate it.”

Cllr Murray is a long-time supporter of the Boys in Green, having attended his first game back in 1989 when he was a toddler.

“I have supported the Irish international soccer team all my life,” he added. “Ive been to countless international home games - my first was with my da against West Germany when I was a three-year old.

“Over the years, I've also travelled to watch them in Georgia, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Russia, Denmark and Estonia. I'm planning to travel to Czechia next month for our World Cup qualifying game. I love our national team.”

In a statement following the draw, the FAI said it had consulted with Uefa and sanctions for not fulfilling a fixture could lead to disqualification from the Nations League.

The FAI's statement read: "In 2025, a motion was proposed by members of the FAI General Assembly to vote on issuing a formal request to the Uefa Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from Uefa competitions for a breach of Uefa statutes.

"Members then voted in favour to submit the motion to Uefa, which the Association did in November 2025. While consultation has taken place with Uefa officials, the Association does recognise that Uefa regulations 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."