Ogbene Urges Fans Not to Pressure Ireland Squad Over Israel Fixture Boycott
The winger said players should not bear the brunt of a public campaign to boycott the Nations League games against Israel.
Chiedozie Ogbene has pushed back against a campaign urging the Republic of Ireland to boycott upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel, telling the public not to "put the pressure on us," the BBC reported.
The winger's comments come amid a broader debate over whether national football teams should play fixtures against Israel while the conflict in Gaza continues, with some groups calling for sporting boycotts as a form of protest.
According to the report, Ogbene's remarks reflect concern among players that they are being asked to take a position on a politically sensitive issue that falls outside their control as athletes.
The BBC's report did not specify the scheduled dates of the Nations League matches in question or detail any official response from the Football Association of Ireland to the boycott campaign.
Debate over sporting boycotts involving Israel has featured in other countries' football associations as well, as the conflict continues to shape discussions around international sporting fixtures.
Sources
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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