‘Israeli’ FA welcomes Ireland decision to play Nations League match

• The ‘Israeli’ Football Association says “football has won” after Ireland’s players voted to continue with their Nations League fixtures.
• The association says the match in Debrecen will proceed as scheduled despite calls for a boycott over Gaza.

The ‘Israeli’ Football Association welcomed Ireland’s decision to proceed with its Nations League match against ‘Israel’, saying “football has won” after Irish players held a vote on whether to continue with the fixture.

In a statement Saturday, the association said the separation between football and politics “must be maintained,” warning that bringing political disputes onto the pitch could have what it described as “disastrous consequences” for the sport.

“The Irish Football Association and the national team players did the right thing by recognizing this,” the statement said, adding: “Better late than never.”

The ‘Israeli’ association said those who sought to pressure Ireland into withdrawing from the fixture had “lost” and accused them of attempting to turn the football pitch into a political arena.

It praised UEFA, the Irish Football Association and the Ireland national team for standing together to ensure the match would go ahead.

The comments came after Ireland’s players held lengthy discussions at their team hotel in Debrecen before voting on whether to participate in Sunday’s match.

The Football Association of Ireland said a “significant majority” of players voted to continue with the fixtures. One player reportedly expressed discomfort with playing and indicated an intention to withdraw from the squad.

The ‘Israeli’ Football Association said it was “proud” that the opening whistle would be heard as scheduled at 8:45 p.m. local time in Debrecen.

It said both teams would take part in the customary pre-match ceremony, including the raising of flags and playing of national anthems, while players and coaches would have the opportunity to shake hands.

The association also said it hoped its team would win the match, concluding its statement with: “Let’s play ball!”

The fixture comes amid growing pressure in Ireland to boycott matches against ‘Israel’ over its actions in Gaza. More than 160 Irish sports figures have signed an open letter calling on the Football Association of Ireland to reconsider its participation, while protests have also been held urging the players not to take part.

The FAI has maintained that Ireland should fulfill its Nations League fixtures, citing concerns over potential UEFA sanctions.