Israeli team playing in Ireland could spark ‘enormous’ protests – Boyd Barrett

“Enormous protests” could take place if Israel were to play a football match in Dublin, Richard Boyd Barrett has said.

The People Before Profit leader was speaking at the start of the National March for Palestine in Dublin city centre on Saturday.

The Republic of Ireland were drawn in a group with Israel as part of the Uefa Nations League last week.

The two teams are due to play each other in the autumn: the away leg on September 27th and the home game on October 4th.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has said Ireland will fulfil the fixtures.

Boyd Barrett said he hopes they will not go ahead, saying: “Uefa should do the right thing.

“The FAI should do the right thing.

“But ultimately, if the match goes ahead in Ireland, I think there will be absolutely enormous protests because I think that decision would not reflect the views of the Irish people”.

Israel should be excluded from all international sporting events.

In no circumstances should Ireland play against this genocidal and apartheid state.

— Paul Murphy