Rep. Ireland vs Isreal

[NeroCeasar]

We have drawn them in the nations league. Game isn't for another nine months but it is already dominating all discussion here. The build up to the world cup playoff in Prague is likely to be dominated by this topic as well.

The FAI have already announced that the game will go ahead in Dublin, but the closer it gets, the more likely it becomes that there will be massive opposition to it, and the security concerns are something that won't have been seen here in a sporting context in a long time.

Like most people, I don't think we should play them but there is a part of me that says, turn your back on their flag, boo their national anthem, and make them play 90 mins in an atmosphere that they have never felt before. A cauldron of pro Palestinian fervor that is then beamed around the world.

So what say you, play it or not?

 

[chicoazul]

This game is real?

 

[Bluerover]

63% of domestic players are opposed to it going ahead but FAI says it's mixed

I can't find anything on the Austrian position, but the danger is being totally isolated if we boycott, leading to very heavy penalties from UEFA.

Personally I believe we should refuse to play. If RTÉ can refuse to take part in a trivial circus like the Eurovision because Israel is taking part, then at minimum this 'sporting' fixture should be played behind closed doors at a neutral venue with no RTÉ or Virgin coverage.

Some interesting developments this afternoon however...

Norway FA to vote on motion to support FAI's call to exclude Israel from Uefa competition

The Norwegian FA have been asked to co-sponsor the FAI’s motion regarding Israel’s alleged breaches of Uefa and Fifa statutes.

www.the42.ie

 

[Toffeeslam]

Do what Celtic did and unravel a huge Palestine flag that spans the stadium

 

[Handball]

This would do.

 

[Yarrgh]

We have drawn them in the nations league. Game isn't for another nine months but it is already dominating all discussion here. The build up to the world cup playoff in Prague is likely to be dominated by this topic as well.

The FAI have already announced that the game will go ahead in Dublin, but the closer it gets, the more likely it becomes that there will be massive opposition to it, and the security concerns are something that won't have been seen here in a sporting context in a long time.

Like most people, I don't think we should play them but there is a part of me that says, turn your back on their flag, boo their national anthem, and make them play 90 mins in an atmosphere that they have never felt before. A cauldron of pro Palestinian fervor that is then beamed around the world.

So what say you, play it or not?

Are you an Israeli complaing about playing Ireland? Or the other way round?

Either way, have fun.

 

[Cake]

We have drawn them in the nations league. Game isn't for another nine months but it is already dominating all discussion here. The build up to the world cup playoff in Prague is likely to be dominated by this topic as well.

The FAI have already announced that the game will go ahead in Dublin, but the closer it gets, the more likely it becomes that there will be massive opposition to it, and the security concerns are something that won't have been seen here in a sporting context in a long time.

Like most people, I don't think we should play them but there is a part of me that says, turn your back on their flag, boo their national anthem, and make them play 90 mins in an atmosphere that they have never felt before. A cauldron of pro Palestinian fervor that is then beamed around the world.

So what say you, play it or not?

Turning your back on their flag, booing their anthem and creating a partisan atmosphere is nothing they won't have seen and experienced many times before. It will have no impact on them in terms of the match itself and it won't change a thing. It might even spur them on to try harder during the game and it will only add fuel to their propaganda machine that everyone is against them.

If UEFA haven't got the balls and decency to ban them just refuse to play. It's a football match, nothing more. What are UEFA going to do about it? Ban ROI? I don't think so when they should be banning Israel. Fine you and 'condemn' you? Again I don't think so but if they do, so what?

 

[Armaghtoffee]

Refuse to play is the only right thing to do. We cannot be one of the most vocal supporters of Palestine then roll over and play Genocide FC.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

What’s so bizarre is that uefa will almost certainly punish Ireland more for not playing than they ever would for the country doing all the killing

 

[coollino]

We have drawn them in the nations league. Game isn't for another nine months but it is already dominating all discussion here. The build up to the world cup playoff in Prague is likely to be dominated by this topic as well.

The FAI have already announced that the game will go ahead in Dublin, but the closer it gets, the more likely it becomes that there will be massive opposition to it, and the security concerns are something that won't have been seen here in a sporting context in a long time.

Like most people, I don't think we should play them but there is a part of me that says, turn your back on their flag, boo their national anthem, and make them play 90 mins in an atmosphere that they have never felt before. A cauldron of pro Palestinian fervor that is then beamed around the world.

So what say you, play it or not?

Play as we don't need further scum in the world cup

 

[coollino]

What’s so bizarre is that uefa will almost certainly punish Ireland more for not playing than they ever would for the country doing all the killing

In line with UK and US politics tbh

 

[Armaghtoffee]

If the FAI underestimates the anger towards this fixture then they need publicly humiliated. No one to buy a ticket and have a pro Palestinian demonstration outside the ground.

 

[dublinbluenose]

FAI needed this fixture like a hole in the head. They've a history of trying to silence protests at home matches, back in the John Delaney years especially.

Public opinion, particularly among match going people is fairly resolutely anti genocide and absolutely does not want this game to be played at all.

Either way it's mana from heaven for Israeli propagandists.

 

[thirdmantackle]

The Israeli national team is not the Israeli government

Sport shouldn't involve politics

If fans protest during the game the FAI will probably be fined.
What's the alternative?

Israel shouldn't even be in UEFA in the first place

 

[Neiler]

This will be carnage and will absolutely not end well, I’d be concerned.

Support for Palestine runs very deep here.