Ireland have been drawn against Israel in the UEFA Nations League and are scheduled to face them twice, with the second of those matches set to take place at the Aviva Stadium in October
18:09, 06 Jun 2026
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Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea(Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
John O'Shea says the Republic of Ireland squad are fully behind Seamus Coleman's stance on the controversial fixtures against Israel.
Ireland have been drawn against Israel in the UEFA Nations League and are scheduled to face them twice, with the second of those matches set to take place at the Aviva Stadium in October.
There have been widespread calls for UEFA to remove Israel from international competition amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, while some Ireland supporters have urged the FAI to take a stand against the fixtures.
Coleman came out with a strong statement on the subject before Ireland's friendly against Qatar in Dublin last week.
He said: “It should have been dealt with above us — FAI, UEFA, whatever it is.
“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."
Now Coleman's former Ireland teammate O'Shea has rowed in behind the Donegal man, arguing that the players have been left in an unenviable position.
Ireland assistant boss O'Shea told reporters in Montreal: "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 added: “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.
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"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.”
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