Israel game being switched to neutral venue a “cop-out” says Smith

Labour TD Duncan Smith has said that the FAI’s decision to switch Ireland’s planned home game against Israel to a neutral venue is a “cop out” and that the games should not go ahead.

The fate of Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel has been hotly debated this week, but on Friady morning, the FAI confirmed the games would be going ahead, for fear of repercussions from UEFA.

In a compromise, Ireland will be playing both games in a neutral venue, with Budapest the likely venue for both matches, and both games to be played behind closed doors.

Smith said that Ireland should “walk away” from the fixtures.”

“Changing the venue for the game is a cop out. We need to stop the game and be brave enough to walk away from the fixture,” the Dublin Fingal East TD said.

“Too many lives have been lost as a direct consequence of the genocide Israel has waged on Palestine,” Smith stated.

“The statement released wraps the decision behind this move in terms of “consequences for Irish football”. The consequences of Irish football being complicit in genocide are far greater,” he asserted.

“This is a time for bravery and for taking a principled stance, one which the majority of the Irish people and sporting community are in agreement with. This is about integrity, standing up for what is right and rejecting the genocidal actions of the state of Israel.

“The FAI should be brave. Pressure on this will only grow and football fans will be left with a bitter taste in their mouth should this match go ahead,” he said.