We are the activists behind the #StopTheGame campaign. We are writing to you directly, and publicly, in advance of Ireland's technical home fixture against Israel in Serbia this Sunday. We are doing so because the Football Association of Ireland has demonstrated, repeatedly and conclusively, that it cannot be trusted to communicate honestly — either with you, or about you.
FAI President Paul Cooke has gone on public record to state that the FAI succeeded in their handling of this issue. We are asking you directly — each one of you, and your manager — do you believe you were placed in a position of success? Do you believe what has happened to you, to your squad, to your manager, and to Irish football over the past weeks represents success?
We are also asking you to consider this. When Paul Cooke was asked directly whether UEFA had threatened the FAI with sanctions if Ireland refused to play, he answered bluntly: no. No threat of sanctions was made. The entire justification built by the FAI for placing you in this position — the fear, the financial warnings, the talk of disqualification — was built on a foundation that their own president has now demolished with a single word.
For that reason, and because the FAI cannot be trusted to put the truth in front of you, we are writing directly.
Our Appeal
We are writing to appeal to each of you, individually and collectively, not to take part in Sunday's fixture against Israel in Serbia.
We want to begin by acknowledging Gavin Bazunu. His decision not to be available for these fixtures was an act of immense personal courage. It was a humanitarian stance, taken at professional risk, and it has received admiration around the world. He has honoured Irish football and he has honoured Ireland.
We know he is not alone. We know there are others among you who do not wish to play this fixture and who are doing so only because you have been pressured and misled by the FAI. We understand that. We do not hold it against you. But we are asking you to reconsider.
We also understand that there are those among you who do not share our view. We believe that position is wrong. But we appeal to you to stand with your colleagues, and with the Irish people. Every credible national poll on this issue has found that over 70% of the Irish public believe these matches should not take place. You are asked to represent Ireland. This is what Ireland thinks.
There Is No Other Side
We are aware that during your discussions on Saturday, you were subjected to an address purporting to present the other side of this issue.
There is no other side.
The position of the Irish Government and the Irish state is that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Ireland is a co-litigant with South Africa before the International Court of Justice, prosecuting Israel for genocide. The position of Israel's own leading Holocaust historian, Amos Goldberg — himself Jewish — is that this is genocide. The United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry published its findings in 2025 that Israel is committing genocide. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
If we support international law, if we support the United Nations, if we support the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, we are not only able but obligated to take a stance. While everyone should always listen, the narrative presented to you on Saturday is not only wrong — it is disconnected from every independent international legal and humanitarian authority that exists.
On Protests
We want to be clear about the protests that will take place around Thursday's Austria fixture and Sunday's game in Serbia.
The right to protest has never been more necessary. It is only through protest that these games were rightly moved out of Ireland in the first place. It is only through protest that the cause of the Palestinian people — under constant genocidal attack — has received the global coverage it has received this past week.
We protest because UEFA has failed to carry out its own rules. UEFA found Israel in breach of its statutes for establishing football clubs on illegally occupied Palestinian land — and chose to profit financially from that breach rather than act on it. We protest because we see that differently.
We protest because we are morally and legally obligated to do so. We protest because the FAI has failed in its duty. We believe the FAI has been working in concert with the Israeli FA for months to position Ireland's players and manager as instruments of sportswashing genocide. Long after these games are over, David Courell, Paul Cooke, and the FAI board who facilitated this disgrace will be held to account.
What Happened in Hungary
In Hungary on Sunday, you wore black armbands. You bowed your heads during the Israeli national anthem. You refused to shake hands. You refused to exchange pennants. Each of those acts said something. The world noticed.
And one of you — Adam Idah — was subjected to racist monkey chants from Israeli supporters, clearly audible to anyone watching. The referee refused to investigate because the word "racism" was not used when it was reported to him. That is what the FAI placed you in the middle of. That is their success.
Our Final Appeal
We are asking each of you to reflect on the reality of the Palestinian people. On the fact that over 560 of your fellow footballers have been murdered by Israel. On the fact that football itself is being used as a tool to perpetrate and launder genocide.
You showed the world in Hungary that you have a conscience. We are asking you to go further in Serbia. Build on what you did. Stand with the Irish people. Stand with Palestine.
Stop the game.
Signed by the following League of Ireland fans:
- David Sherlock - Shamrock Rovers
- Karen Dervan - Galway United
- Lorcán Ó‘Duíne - Derry City
- Manus Bree - Sligo Rovers
- Lar O’ Tuama - Cork City
- Bas O’ Curraoin - Bohemians
- Brendan Ogle - Dundalk
- Tommy Martin Snr - Finn Harps
- Anthony McIntyre - Drogheda
- Gerry Deane - Shelbourne
- Ezin Rose Voight - Longford Town
- Cian Darcy - St. Patrick’s Athletic
- Paul Duggan - Waterford United
- William Sainsbury - CK United
- Jason Shanahan - Treaty United
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