Stop the Game Campaign and FAI Participation in Matches against Israel: Motion [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-09
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Michael Collins (II), Cork South-West

Let me begin by saying something very clearly: the humanitarian situation in Gaza is heartbreaking. The loss of innocent civilian life, the suffering of families, the destruction of homes, schools and hospitals and the terrible impact of this conflict on ordinary people should concern every decent person. We in Independent Ireland condemn violence against civilians where it occurs and we support every effort to achieve a just peace and lasting resolution to this conflict. Nobody should mistake our amendment for indifference. It is not. However, we believe that we must also recognise another important principle: sport should not become a tool of political direction by Government or opposition.
The Sinn Féin motion seeks to place the Football Association of Ireland and Irish athletes at the centre of an international political dispute. We do not believe that is fair. Irish sports people have devoted years of their lives to representing their country. They have trained, sacrificed and worked tirelessly for the opportunity to compete at the highest level. They should not be asked to carry the burden of resolving conflicts that are far beyond their control.
If international sporting sanctions are to be imposed, those decisions should be made by the recognised international sporting authorities. UEFA and FIFA exist precisely to govern international football and to make decisions regarding participation, suspension and fixtures. Whether people agree with their decisions or not, those are the bodies charged with that responsibility. Governments should not be dictating who national teams play. Political parties should not be deciding which fixtures go ahead. Once we cross that line, sports risk becoming another battleground for political disputes rather than a space where people from different backgrounds can come together. Political parties are long enough in this Dáil saying religion and politics should not go together. Now it is time there is a separation between sports and politics. We must also consider the wider consequences.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-09