Pubs in Ireland did not broadcast the match with Israel in protest — Al Jazeera

According to Aidan Brown, owner of the Dublin pub Peadar Browns, 140 pubs and bars in Ireland and beyond refused to broadcast the Nations League match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel national teams. The venues were protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza, which campaign participants call genocide.

Before the game began, football fans gathered at Peadar Browns in the Liberties district, but all televisions remained switched off. Brown said he decided about a month ago not to show Nations League matches until Ireland takes a position on Israel. According to him, the pub also did not broadcast the game against Kosovo.

As Al Jazeera English reports, Liam Doherty, owner of the Delacroix bar in Derry, also refused to show the match. Rebecca O’Keeffe, head of Irish Sport for Palestine, said that the Stop the Game campaign had turned into a mass movement.

Football association’s position

A survey among Irish football fans showed that 76% opposed holding the match. Among members of the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland, 63% spoke out against the game.

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In November, 93% of members of the Football Association of Ireland supported an appeal to suspend Israel from UEFA competitions. At the same time, in July, the association voted to hold the scheduled matches: the decision was supported by 75 votes, 32 voted against, and three abstained. The FAI explained this by possible consequences for Irish football, including a potential points deduction.

Differences within the national team

More than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter calling on the team to boycott the matches. National team coach Heimir Hallgrímsson said that some players felt uncomfortable because of taking part in the fixtures, while midfielder Jason Knight said these games should not take place.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu told his teammates that he did not want to play. The footballers held a vote and decided to fulfil their obligation regarding the match; according to reports, eight players were against it. Bazunu became the only one who ultimately refused to take part in the game. The Republic of Ireland national team is due to play another Nations League match against Israel next week.