In his email to Mid Ulster District Council, spokesperson Darragh Hogan stated: “I refer to your correspondence on October 5, 2026, regarding Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixtures with Israel.

“National governing bodies of sport (NGBs), including the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures, whether in domestic or international competitions.

“The Government and Sport Ireland have no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures.

“International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules. The international federations, in this case, UEFA, have a leadership role for their global games, and it is at this level that these decisions should be taken.

“The FAI has strongly represented the views of its membership that Israel should be excluded from international football competitions, including bringing a motion to UEFA to this effect last year.

“The reality is that this motion was not passed by UEFA and that the FAI was obliged to fulfil the fixtures. The Government recognises the FAI’s autonomy in making this decision in the context of its obligations as a member of UEFA.

“The Minister does not have a statutory role in relation to the oversight of governance in NGBs, nor does he have any role in their day-to-day operational functions and further, it would not be appropriate for him to intervene in matters such as this.”

Speaking at the October 22 monthly meeting of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Dan Kerr (Independent, Torrent DEA) commented: “It’s regarding the correspondence back from the 26-county government. It’s truly disappointing the Irish soccer team played against Israel.

“A small form of protest by boycotting the overall match would have sent a strong message to the world.

“Israel is currently [carrying out a] genocide against several nations in the Middle East.

“A special mention to the Bolton and Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who refused to participate in the Irish match against the Zionist state.”