Seamus Coleman has insisted the Republic of Ireland’s players should not have been plunged into the controversy surrounding their forthcoming Nations League games against Israel.
Skipper Nathan Collins and head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson have both been quizzed over the situation during the run-up to Thursday night’s friendly against Qatar, with the Football Association of Ireland saying the fixtures in September and October would go ahead.
That is a situation into which 37-year-old Coleman believes they should not have been thrust amid ongoing protests over Israel’s continued military action in the Middle East.
He said: “My views are very clear on the fact that Nathan and the younger players, and Ireland, the fans, the manager, it should not have landed on our toes to answer questions about this. It should have been dealt with above us.
“I am a dad, I am a husband, I’ve got a heart, I know the difference between right and wrong. If I was to ask you the same question, it would be the same opinion?
“It is awful what is happening, it is extremely sad and a very difficult position for the players to be in. I don’t think we should be in this position, absolutely not, but of course we’ve got to answer on it. It is very uncomfortable.”
In November last year, the FAI General Assembly passed a motion mandating the FAI board to submit a motion to UEFA requesting the immediate suspension of Israel from international competition, citing breaches of UEFA statutes.
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The motion was passed with 74 votes in favour, seven against and two abstentions.
However, in February this year, the FAI confirmed in a letter to its members that the fixtures – on neutral territory on September 27 and in Dublin on October 4 – would be fulfilled because of the potential “serious consequences” of not doing so.
Asked who he felt should be answering the awkward questions, Coleman said: “The FAI, UEFA, whatever it is. I feel like it should not have landed on 22, 23, 24-year-old lads that are here to play for their country.
“We represent our country, the people of Ireland and we’ve got to take that into account, what their opinion is on it as well.
“It is not straightforward either. That is the human side, which is so, so important. It should not be on our toes.
“There is the football side, the sanctions and everything that comes with it. It is very difficult for us players, the manager, and all the staff that we are dealing with this.
“You know our feelings as human beings.”
