‘We shouldn’t be in this position’ on Israel games – ColemanImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Seamus Coleman insists the debate on whether the Republic of Ireland should face Israel in the Nations League should be dealt with by officialsPublished37 minutes agoRepublic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman insists questions on whether they should face Israel in the upcoming Nations League “should not have landed on our toes” and he “knows the difference between right and wrong” on the issue.Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side, who host Qatar in a friendly in Dublin on Thursday [19:45 BST], are due to meet Israel in Group B3 of the Nations League at an expected neutral venue on 27 September before the return fixture in Dublin on 4 October.Pressure has grown in Ireland for a boycott of those games because of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign having held a protest at the Dáil (Irish parliament) on Tuesday.The Football Association of Ireland [FAI] has verified the games will go ahead, with CEO David Courell saying the governing body had “no choice” and could face “serious consequences” if it pulled out of the games.
Earlier this week, the Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins reported that if individual players felt strongly enough to boycott the games, “we are not going to stand against them”, while Hallgrimsson feels it’s “unfair for the players to be in this position”.
Coleman, 37, supported his manager’s assertion: “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.
“I mean if I ask you the same question, I’m sure you’re all of the same opinion of what’s happening. It’s awful, it is extremely sad and it’s 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.”
