Seamus Coleman has spoken out on the Republic of Ireland’s planned UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel
John O’Shea has backed Seamus Coleman’s position regarding the contentious fixtures between the Republic of Ireland and Israel.
The Nations League draw has pitted Ireland against Israel on two occasions, with the latter encounter scheduled for the Aviva Stadium this October.
Mounting pressure has been placed on UEFA to exclude Israel from international football due to the continuing violence in Gaza, while sections of Irish support have called upon the FAI to reject the arranged matches.
Ahead of Ireland’s friendly with Qatar in Dublin last week, Coleman issued a forceful statement on the matter.
He said: “It should have been dealt with above us – FAI, UEFA, whatever it is, ” reports the Irish Mirror.
“I feel like it should not have landed on 22-, 23-, 24-year-old lads that are here to play for their country.
“I am a dad, I am a husband, I’ve got a heart, I know the difference between right and wrong. It is awful what is happening, it is extremely sad and a very difficult position for the players to be in.”
O’Shea, who previously lined up alongside Coleman at international level, has now thrown his support behind the Donegal defender, suggesting the squad have been placed in an uncomfortable situation.
Speaking to journalists in Montreal, Ireland’s assistant manager O’Shea said: “We’ll be 100% behind Séamus’ answer, and we fully respect any of the players’ opinions on the scenario.
“It’s only going to get stronger and stronger, that opinion, the public opinion, and you’re fully aware of it.
“What Séamus said, being a dad, I have three kids myself, nobody wants to see innocent kids being involved in scenarios like that. Nobody…It’s not right, and listen, the FAI have made their statement on it, Heimir has spoken about it, and I’d echo that sentiment as well.
“Obviously [Uefa] acted on Russia, they haven’t acted on Israel. From a sporting point of view, we don’t want to give anyone an advantage, but we fully appreciate it’s not right.”
O’Shea went on to say: “We didn’t pick the game, it’s obviously drawn out, and listen, a week is a long time in football.
“You don’t want to lose any sporting advantage. But we totally understand the nation’s feelings, and for us to be involved in this scenario, it’s not right.
“Any sanctions that affect Irish football, in the sense of sporting sanctions, losing games, having defeats, giving an advantage to other teams, it’s not right. Hopefully the authorities, and the government, Uefa, can resolve it for us.
“We have to respect everyone’s opinion on it, people’s right to peaceful protests as well. We fully understand that, because like I mentioned, innocent children being involved in scenarios, it’s harrowing stuff.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login