Responsibility for exclusion of nations from major sporting events lies solely with global sports federations – Ní Chuilinn

Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn has today said the FAI cannot be expected to boycott UEFA Nations League games and the onus is firmly on global governing bodies to take stances, issue suspensions, or fine national teams where appropriate.

“We cannot have a situation whereby Irish high-performance athletes in football or athletics or basketball have to curtail their short playing careers in order to make up for the moral failings or otherwise of multi-million euro organisations,” Senator Ní Chuilinn said.

Last year, the FAI voted to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from European competitions. On Thursday, Ireland were drawn to face Israel twice this Autumn. The FAI said in a statement yesterday that it intends to fulfil the fixtures.

Ní Chuilinn says any official boycott would set a precedent that is not realistic or reasonable in the sporting landscape and said there are other ways for National Governing Bodies (NGBs) here to make their feelings known.

“UEFA have failed to ban Israel, despite the FAI’s best efforts and intentions with last years’ submission.

“Likewise, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) failed to ban Israel from the EuroBasket Qualifiers in 2024.

“Basketball Ireland stood to lose €180,000 if they didn’t fulfil those fixtures, but more importantly, a cohort of women would have been denied the opportunity to play for their country. It would also have heralded premature retirements from the sport, because Ireland would have been banned from EuroBasket events in 2027 and 2029.

“Football is a wonderfully supported sport in Ireland, and a nation will hold its’ breath once again during the upcoming playoffs.

“Calling for the FAI to boycott the fixtures against Israel however, will have wider implications for sport in Ireland and will set a precedent that is not realistic.

“Just as the Irish women’s basketball team did, handshakes can be snubbed, or other stances can be taken off the court or field of play. But asking a group of athletes to take a collective stance on global political issues is unfair, unrealistic and flies in the face of a what we strive for here, which is an athlete-centric approach to high performance sport.”

Senator Ní Chuilinn referenced next months’ lesser known sporting event, the Gymnastics World Cup event in Baku, where Ireland’s Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan will make his long awaited comeback from injury.

“McClenaghan will compete alongside exciting new prospects like James Hickey, Chester Enriquez and Oisín O’Connell.  The younger gymnasts have been waiting for this opportunity and will use the World Cup events to build towards the LA Olympics.

“Israel will have five male gymnasts competing and they haven’t been excluded by World Gymnastics.

“Our young and aspiring gymnasts shouldn’t be denied the opportunity to continue the upward trajectory of their sporting careers, the same way that our basketball or football teams shouldn’t,” the Fine Gael Senator said.