FOOTBALL DAILY: 'It is important that our voice was heard' Lopes on Israel debacle, Courell acting on best interests of Irish football, and Towell on the man that is Liam Rosenior
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Off the Balls. Football Daily. Hello and welcome to Thursday's Football Daily. I'm Phil Egan. Coming up today, the Ireland-Israel row rumbles on after FAI CEO David Carell says Ireland must fulfil their fixtures.
What is the controversy surrounding Ireland's game with Israel?
We look back at last night's Champions League action, which saw PSG, Real Madrid, Atalanta and Galatasaray advance to the last 16. Tonight, Celtic and Nottingham Forest have Europa League games and Richie Towle gives his insight on his former team-mate and current Chelsea boss, Leymar Sr., But first up, FAI CEO David Carell joined Eoin Sheehan on last night's Off the Ball to talk about the Ireland-Israel game and the controversy surrounding last week's loud derby between Dundalk and Drogheda. The FAI says they have to fulfil the fixtures with Israel despite Clammer calling for a boycott. Carell says they have to do what's best for Irish football. So we have to look at this through the prism of what's right for Irish football.
And I know that's very difficult for some people to comprehend given the gravity of the situation in Gaza. But be it the board or the executive are tasked with safeguarding the future of Irish football. And the reality of forfeiting... two games will result in an immediate sporting impact for not only the men's national team but broader association in the form of a six-point deduction we're playing in the nations league b israel are our closest seed in the group we would slide down the group ranking we would find ourselves potentially competing to stay in b every likelihood we could slip into C. Our Nations League position at the end is a key defining factor for the seeding for Euro 2028 qualification.
So if you look at it purely on the basis of sporting merit of fulfilling these fixtures, it is pretty significant impact for the team and the association if we don't proceed and therefore we will be. And after last week's flare incident at Oriel Park and the subsequent fallout, Carell says the incident should never happen. First of all, best wishes to the young child that was impacted. Thankfully, no lasting damage, but the reality is it should never have happened. I think the actions that unfolded on Friday night by a minority of our supporter base was unacceptable. Just fundamentally deplorable to put someone at risk in that manner. to intentionally damage a brand new facility that Irish football has campaigned for so long to get increased investment into facilities.
And this is the thanks we show. That is not how the association, the league or our Irish football community should behave or want to behave. And again, it's a small minority. that are having an impact on the broader picture. I think the Minister has rightly called out this poor behaviour. It is a challenge that we are contending with and we welcome the opportunity to work with him and also the Department of Justice what we the FAI, the League of Ireland, can do to further mitigate these situations, but also what can we do in collaboration about potential legislation or changes that could improve the situation, not only for the league, but also other sports. It's not exclusively an issue for football.
In the aftermath of events last Friday, Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan paused all funding for League of Ireland artificial surfaces across the entire league as a collective punishment, something Charlie McConnellogue, Junior Minister, was pressed on by Owen last night on the show.
Was the response from the Minister disproportionate this week?
Listen, I mean, I think his response was very much coming from the position of ensuring that this isn't repeated.
What are the PFAI's findings on player opinions regarding the Israel match?
But certainly, I don't believe myself in collective punishment. I think we have to come down like a ton of bricks on what happened and make sure that that is something that continues. But also, we have to recognise good behaviour and ensure that we don't collectively punish other clubs who are acting responsibly and fans who are acting responsibly.
Why didn't he consult with you before making the decision?
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:33
2
What is the controversy surrounding Ireland's game with Israel?
0:33–4:00
3
What are the PFAI's findings on player opinions regarding the Israel match?
4:00–14:10
4
How has the FAI responded to recent flare incidents at Oriel Park?
14:10–16:34
Speakers
9 identifiedMore from OTB Football
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