WASHINGTON
Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason Knight has become the first national team player to publicly say that the country should not play its upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Israel.
Knight expressed his personal opposition to the fixture following Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina on Thursday.
“I don’t think the game should be going ahead, but it is going ahead,” he said.
The 25-year-old Bristol City midfielder said the squad would hold more detailed discussions before deciding how to approach Sunday’s match in Debrecen, Hungary.
“We’ll have a deeper talk about it and what that means. We’ll get our thoughts as a group and go from there,” he added.
Ireland captain Dara O’Shea said earlier that the players would meet on Friday to discuss their views and whether to stage a collective protest during the fixture.
Potential measures could include refusing customary pre-match handshakes or post-match shirt exchanges, although the squad has yet to announce a decision.
O’Shea said the decision to fulfill the fixtures had been taken by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the Irish government and UEFA, rather than by the players.
The FAI has faced mounting pressure to boycott the two Nations League matches against Israel over the continuing genocide in Gaza.
More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter urging the national team not to play, while the Stop The Game campaign has organized demonstrations demanding Israel’s suspension from international football.
Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson previously said some players felt “really uncomfortable” about the matches and described the team as playing “against genocide,” prompting a sharp response from the Israeli Football Association.
The FAI has said it opposes Israel’s continued participation and has lobbied UEFA for its suspension but decided against a unilateral boycott because of the possible sporting and financial consequences.
Its general assembly voted 75-38 to fulfill the fixtures after officials warned that withdrawal could cost Irish football at least €5.5 million ($6.5 million) and expose the association to further UEFA sanctions.
The first match will take place at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen on Sunday. The return fixture, officially Ireland’s home game, has been moved from Dublin to Backa Topola, Serbia, and will be played behind closed doors on Oct. 4.
The FAI will not provide tickets to Irish supporters for either match, while Irish national broadcaster RTE has said it will air the games without its customary studio coverage, punditry, advertising or its own commentary team.
