Former Republic of Ireland winger James McClean has accused the Football Association of Ireland [FAI] of not having a “backbone” regarding the planned Nations League games against Israel later this year.
On Thursday, an open letter from Irish Sport For Palestine which has launched a ‘Stop The Game’ campaign, called on the FAI to boycott the fixtures on 27 September and 4 October.
Brian Kerr, a past Republic of Ireland manager, is one of the letter’s 39 signatories with McClean endorsing the campaign on his Instagram account.
While accepting “it’s a tough one” for the players who would lose “an opportunity to play a football game for your country”, McClean – capped 103 times for Republic of Ireland – said there would not be “too many if any objecting” if the games were boycotted and also suggested “the decision should be taken out of their hands”.
“The game should never be going ahead,” the 37-year-old Derry City player posted on his Instagram account.
“If there is one country that should recognise oppression and the turmoil that brings then it’s Ireland.. although with the decision makers in this country you’d be mistaken to think we ever had any history of it.”
Irish Sport For Palestine maintains the games should not take place, citing what is describes as “clear and ongoing serious breaches of Uefa and Fifa statute regarding Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands” and “a brutal system of apartheid and genocide, both of which are accepted by the Irish government”.
Israel has regularly denied committing genocide or war crimes and has said its actions in Gaza have been justified as a means of self-defence.
Former men’s international manager Kerr is among the high-profile names to have signed the letter. Others include former Republic of Ireland women’s player Louise Quinn and ex-Sweden international Hedvig Lindahl, plus musicians Paul Weller, Bobby Gillespie, Tom Morello, Kneecap and Fontaines DC.
Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland chair and Shamrock Rovers captain Roberto Lopes – who is in line to represent Cape Verde at this summer’s World Cup – added his voice.
“We have to stop the game,” Lopes wrote. “As players and fans, our natural instinct is always to get out there and compete, but this is a moment where we need to look at the bigger picture.
“We can’t ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration.
“Ireland has an opportunity here to lead – to be a pioneer and do what others won’t. We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough. We can’t just stand by.
“Please, stop the game.”
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has been contacted by BBC Sport NI for comment.
The open letter calls on the FAI to “uphold these rules if Uefa will not”.
That is in reference to a November 2025 vote by FAI members instructing the association to call for Israel’s suspension from Uefa.
Members backed a motion alleging the Israeli FA had broken Uefa rules with “failure to implement and enforce an effective anti-racism policy” and “organisation of clubs in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank without the consent of the Palestinian Football Association”.
The open letter states: “It is inconceivable that we would be willing to be silent and give cover to such crimes in the name of football.
“We call on you to ensure the Irish football team is not used to mask Uefa rules breaches, apartheid and war crimes. And to respect the call to boycott the game by the majority of players, fans and communities across Ireland.
“Last November, 93% of FAI members voted to instruct the association to go to Uefa and call for Israel’s suspension under those statutes.
“We call on you to full [sic] respect and represent this mandate.”
In February, the FAI confirmed it would fulfil the Nations League fixtures against Israel, saying there was a real prospect “that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition” should the Republic of Ireland refuse to play.
The conflict in Gaza followed the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
Israel responded to the attack by launching a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 72,500 people have been killed, according to the territory’s health ministry.