Former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr believes the FAI and the Irish government should lead by example and refuse to Israel in the Uefa Nations League.
On Thursday, Ireland were drawn to play Israel both home and away later this year which has since raised many questions regarding the ethics of fulfilling the fixture, the financial ramifications if they don’t and where the two games should be played if they do go ahead. Amongst others.
Speaking on ahead of their live coverage of Drogheda United’s clash with Waterford, Kerr insisted that Ireland should not take part in the League B games.
“It’s undoubtedly an awkward one for the FAI but they’ve never exactly been a beacon of ethics and principles,” began Kerr.
“Even right up to Christmas this year they were busy organising their redundancy between 40 and 50 workers, football workers, grassroots workers.
“The situation they are in now with this draw, I think they can show a real bit of balls and refuse to play Israel.
“They should stand up – in my view – for the Palestinian state, the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian football organisation who have not been able to play games at home for years but who have also lost huge numbers of footballers during the war that was waged on them in Gaza.
🗣 “[The FAI] could show a real bit of balls and refuse to play Israel.”
🗣 “I think UEFA could back the FAI if they were strong enough on it.”
Brian Kerr on the Republic of Ireland being drawn in the same group as Israel in the Nations League.#VMSport pic.twitter.com/8JqRi3pa3M
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 13, 2026
“They have lost their football grounds, Israel has at least six teams playing in grounds and in stadiums that were previously on the land of the Palestinian state.
“There’s been no real punishment for that. On football grounds, Uefa would be in their rights to penalise the Israeli football association and these Israeli clubs.
“They (Uefa) eventually, under pressure from a lot of people, they stood up against Russia because of the war in Ukraine. Belatedly, it must be said.
“I think if the FAI took the lead, and Ireland took the lead, that other countries… I’m looking at that draw where Austria and Kosovo, Kosovo came out of the Balkans war back in 1999.
“Ireland refused, the government refused to give visas – I understand it – to the Yugoslavia team to come and play here in international football that time when the war was going on.
“So they were prepared to make a bit of a stand, now the Irish government say ‘well, we don’t want to mix politics.’
“I think that is complete baloney and a real sit on the fence job. I think this whole situation in Palestine and Israel, is far too serious for people to just say ‘oh well you must separate sport and politics.’
“I think Uefa could back the FAI if they were strong enough on it.”
