Political football: The SIPTU trade union is urging the FAI not to fulfil planned fixtures between Ireland and Israel this autumn. Safety concerns over Ireland-Israel games raised by trade unionSIPTU members employed by the FAI have expressed "serious safety concerns" about Ireland's planned Nations League games with Israel, and have called on the football's national football governing body to withdraw from the fixtures. Ireland were yesterday drawn in the same group as Israel for the upcoming Nations League campaign. "Our members believe that such a concern, and the duty of care the FAI must show for its staff, must also rule out this fixture. "It is up to the governing association to consider these issues and not place players and staff in a situation where their safety and future reputations are in jeopardy," he concluded.

Source: Irish Independent February 13, 2026 12:29 UTC