A DÁIL MOTION has heard further urgings for a boycott of the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel as the campaign to prevent the games taking place ramps up.

Tuesday night’s Sinn Féin motion was one of two addressing the upcoming matches this week, with the Social Democrats holding their own later Wednesday morning.

The Sinn Féin motion called for the upcoming Uefa Nations League fixtures against Israel not to proceed. It was opposed by the government.

During the first debate, Sinn Féin spokesperson on sport Joanna Byrne told the Dáil chamber Ireland “cannot sit on the sidelines” and watch sporting bodies act according to “politics favourable to their own interests”, as she led calls for a boycott.

Byrne, wearing a ‘Stop the Game’ shirt, said that “anybody who says there is no place for politics in sport neither understands politics nor sport”, before pointing to the costs paid by Palestinian sport due to Israel’s war on Gaza.

“At least 1,008 athletes, players and sports officials have been killed in the genocide, and close to 300 sports facilities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank have been destroyed by Israel,” the Louth TD said.

Israel’s onslaught on Gaza had also left stadiums “obliterated”, Byrne said.

She further pointed to Israel was allegedly in violation of an International Court of Justice advisory opinion that at least 10 Israeli football clubs are located in the occupied Palestinian territory.

“Sport cannot be separated from justice and humanity. We have an opportunity now to take a stand, activists, civil society and politicians alike,” Byrne went on.

Ireland’s football association said its board was continuing to meet to “discuss the operational aspects” of hosting the men’s international Nations League football fixture, amid reports that the game may be moved to a neutral venue.

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The Football Association of Ireland said it was also engaging with European football’s governing body Uefa on the issue, with a further statement set to be issued after the board meets again on Thursday.

Up until now, the FAI has said it has no choice but to play the games, adding that a boycott “would lead to the forfeiture of six points” and could lead to relegation of the team to League C of the Nations League.

The Republic of Ireland’s men’s soccer team is due to face Israel in the Uefa Nations League at a neutral venue on 27 September before a return game in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 4 October.