Paul Murphy: Calls to Stop Ireland Playing Israel at FAI EGM
Paul Murphy addresses the Dáil urging the FAI EGM to vote against playing Israel and calls for government guarantees to protect Irish football if delegates refuse to play. He labels Israel a state 'of genocide, of apartheid' and says the match should be stopped because some things are bigger than football.
Paul Murphy tells the Dáil that tonight the FAI EGM will decide whether to play Israel and urges delegates to do the right thing. He argues that a state he describes as 'of genocide, of apartheid' should be isolated and not entertained on the pitch.
Murphy presses the government to assure delegates that if the match is not played the state will step in to prevent any loss to Irish football. He stresses the importance of a political response rather than leaving the burden solely to players, fans and administrators.
He warns that FIFA and global football governance are unlikely to be swayed by Ireland's decision, and that the wider governance of football shapes the consequences for Irish football's future.
Murphy repeats that the government must address the issue at a political level to protect Irish football and honour moral responsibilities. His intervention frames the FAI vote as not only a sporting decision but a question of national ethics and international solidarity.
Key remarks and demand
Paul Murphy tells the Dáil that tonight the FAI EGM will decide whether to play Israel and urges delegates to do the right thing. He argues that a state he describes as 'of genocide, of apartheid' should be isolated and not entertained on the pitch.
FAI EGM and political consequences
Murphy presses the government to assure delegates that if the match is not played the state will step in to prevent any loss to Irish football. He stresses the importance of a political response rather than leaving the burden solely to players, fans and administrators.
Concerns about FIFA and seedings
He warns that FIFA and global football governance are unlikely to be swayed by Ireland's decision, and that the wider governance of football shapes the consequences for Irish football's future.
Government role and closing
Murphy repeats that the government must address the issue at a political level to protect Irish football and honour moral responsibilities. His intervention frames the FAI vote as not only a sporting decision but a question of national ethics and international solidarity.
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Transcript
Ciann Comhairle, Taoiseach, Pico López put it clearest when he arrived back in Ireland some things are bigger than football, the game for me has to be stopped, it shouldn't be played and tonight the FAI EGM will vote on whether they should play Israel I hope that the delegates do the right thing, which is to say that a state like Israel of genocide, of apartheid, should be isolated, not played and I'm asking you to assure the delegates that if they do the right thing and if ultimately they don't play the game, that the government will step in to ensure there's no loss to Irish football as a result Thank you Deputy Taoiseach But how can we do that? We can't affect seedings, the Irish government cannot affect the seedings that will result from it Look what's happening at FIFA at the moment, I would put forward, look what's happening at FIFA at the moment Do we think that FIFA would really concern themselves too much? If the Irish football team pulls out and damages its own prospects for the future I think the world would carry on, unfortunately, unfortunately and I think FIFA would carry on, unfortunately The government is doing a lot in respect of this issue and our view is we should deal with it from a governmental level, a political level and not have to ask everybody to carry, in my view, the implications for football are serious Irish football, given the wider governance of football globally Thank you Taoiseach