More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter urging the Republic of Ireland men’s football team to boycott its forthcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel. The appeal, organised by Irish Sport for Palestine as part of its Stop The Game campaign, asks Heimir Hallgrímsson’s players to “act collectively with conscience” and refuse to participate.

The letter argues that the FAI, UEFA and the Irish government have placed the players in an unfair position, and says athletes should uphold sport’s values of fairness, equality and respect. Its authors say they oppose the fixtures because they believe playing them would legitimise Israeli state conduct in Gaza; that is the campaign’s stated position, rather than a finding by football authorities.

Prominent signatories include Olympian Ciara Mageean, former Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn, former Ireland rugby international Tony Ward, boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan, and GAA figures Joe Brolly, Colm O’Rourke, Michael Darragh Macauley, Philly McMahon, Padraig O’Hora and Rena Buckley. Ward previously declined to take part in Ireland’s rugby tour of apartheid South Africa, while para-athlete Alan Dineen and ultimate Frisbee player Stephen Jones had already refused to play Israeli opponents earlier this year.

Ireland are scheduled to play Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, on 27 September, followed by the return match on 4 October at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia. UEFA approved the FAI’s request to move the October fixture from Dublin; it will be played behind closed doors.

Hallgrímsson has said he discussed the Israel matches individually with members of his squad and acknowledged that “none of us feel comfortable playing in these games.” The FAI has nevertheless decided to fulfil the fixtures, after warning that withdrawal could lead to UEFA disciplinary action, financial consequences and possible damage to Irish football’s longer-term interests.