SIPTU has reaffirmed that it will continue to support any member who, on grounds of conscience, refuses to participate in the hosting, servicing or facilitation of the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures involving the Irish and Israeli national football teams.
At the launch of ‘Stop the Game’ website at the Whistleblower Cafe in Dublin today, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Greg Ennis, said: “Our Union’s position has been clear and consistent. When facing an attempt by a regime to sportswash a genocide, workers have a right to act in accordance with their conscience and should not face disciplinary action or disadvantage for holding to a position supported by most Irish people.
“This is a unique situation. Across the world, the genocide in Gaza has raised public anger. In Ireland, the horrific images mirror our history of displacement, starvation and exile. That the FAI and the Government are intent on forcing such decisions upon workers and those seeking to represent their country is one of the greatest failures in moral leadership in recent decades.
“Trade unionists understand solidarity. We will not cross a picket line which is standing against genocide, whether that line is in Donnybrook, Dublin Airport, Hungary or Serbia. Those principles don’t change because the issue remains the same, you either stand in opposition to genocide or you don’t.”
Ennis said SIPTU’s responsibility is first and foremost to defend its members across the economy including Aviation, Broadcasting, Transport and Hospitality.
“Our Union has backed members who have raised conscientious objections to involvement in these fixtures, and we will continue to do so. No worker should be forced to choose between their employment and their conscience.
“According to the Palestinian Football Association, 567 members of the Palestinian football community, including players, coaches and referees, have been killed since October 2023. Across the wider sporting community, more than 1,000 athletes and sports workers have lost their lives and hundreds of sporting facilities have been destroyed.
“While UEFA and the FAI may seek to ignore these facts, our national team, our players and workers are being asked to help normalise genocide. It’s clear that the only thing this Government understands is pressure and it is our intention to continue working with the campaign to end this farce.”