Tensions are high ahead of an international soccer doubleheader between Ireland and Israel, with both nations using inflammatory language about their opponents amid protests in Dublin urging a boycott of the matches.
\n\nThe games taking place on Sunday and Oct. 4 — both on neutral territory — are going ahead following a request by the Football Association of Ireland that UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, suspend the Israel Football Association in protest of Israel’s military action in Gaza. It was rejected by UEFA.
\n\nCampaigners stepped up their attempts to get the Ireland team to not play the first match between the teams in Hungary, with a group gathering outside the team’s hotel in Dublin on Monday evening.
\n\nMore than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter issued by the Irish Sport for Palestine Group, urging the FAI to reconsider its decision to go ahead with the fixtures and saying: “With this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing.”
\n\nAfter announcing his squad, Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said: “Without going into individuals, none of us feel comfortable playing in these games but once we have decided to play them, we all stick together and play as one.”
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports
