Republic of Ireland star breaks ranks over Israel fixture as players hold emergency talks
A current Republic of Ireland player has suggested the national team should boycott their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel.
Jason Knight, who plays his club football in the Championship with Bristol City, made his opposition to the fixtures clear following the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina on Thursday (September 24).
There have been widespread calls for Ireland to boycott the fixtures over the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza, with the ‘Stop The Game’ campaign gaining support.
What did Jason Knight say about boycotting Israel fixtures?
Following the Kosovo match, acting captain Dara O’Shea made clear that the players would hold a meeting on the matter today (September 25).
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“Look, it’s difficult, the manager, and Dara, and Nathan [Collins] spoke well about it, I don’t think the game should be going ahead but it is going ahead,” Knight said.
“We’ll have a deeper talk about it and what that means, we’ll get our thoughts as a group and go from there.
“I think it was a difficult one. It’s obviously big talk in Ireland. I have been focusing on my football in England in the Championship. But I knew this was coming so I had a think about it.”
No Irish fans will be in attendance for the ‘away’ fixture, which is due to take place in Debrecen, Hungary. The return fixture takes place in Backa Topola, Serbia, on October 4.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ has decided to air the match with no commentator, pundits or half-time shoulder programming.
“We had chats about it with the players, and more senior players on what the step will be,” Knight added.
“Now we’re here, we can have a really in depth talk of what that means and what the consequences are. We’ll do that [on Friday] and go from there.
“I am quite experienced. None of us have gone through this scenario before but I’d like to think I’m experienced, thick skin and can get through most things and that is what I will try and do.
“I’ll try and focus on the football as much as I can. I’ll give my view and my thoughts on when I see fit, but I’ll be trying to focus on the football as much as possible.”
Over 73,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the region since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and hundreds were taken hostage.
Some Irish fans have already made their opposition to the fixture taking place clear, with supporters protesting by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch during a friendly against Qatar in Dublin in May.
The FAI later held a vote on the matter, with 75 delegates voting in favour of the fixtures taking place and 32 wanting the team to boycott.
Israel FA accuses Ireland boss of ‘hypocrisy’
Ahead of the international break, Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson said: “We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel,” when pressed on the upcoming fixtures.
On Monday (September 21), the Israeli FA replied via social media, writing: “We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way.
“Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach. We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.”
Topics: Republic of Ireland, UEFA Nations League
Luke Davies