Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne managers unite in Ireland v Israel response, in wake of FAI decision
They were rivals for 90 minutes on Friday night as their sides played out a thrilling Dublin derby.But the managers of Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers stood united afterwards when they were asked for their thoughts on the FAI’s decision earlier that day on Ireland’s Nations League game against Israel.It was confirmed that the home game would be moved from Dublin and played on foreign soil.Criticism came quickly from political circles, while fans of both Shels and Rovers displayed ‘Stop The Game’ banners urging a boycott of the games against Israel.Shels boss Joey O’Brien, who watched his side claim a 2-1 win, praised both sets of supporters.He said: “I thought the fans were brilliant, the two banners, I'm sure there might have been something together with the two (sets of) fans. They said it all, really.“I think the fact that we're moving it outside the country, if the game was going to take place, definitely should have taken place here.“We've nothing to be afraid of, nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to be embarrassed about.“Now we're going and giving up the game here. I thought if it had been here, it would have been a great opportunity for people to see it outside the country, if the game had to go ahead, I mean.“I don't think the game should be going ahead in any way.“But if it was, it would have been a great opportunity for the world, basically, to see the support that I think the whole of the country really has for what the Palestinian people are going through.”O’Brien added: “I don’t think you should play them, definitely shouldn’t play them. But if you had to play them, I think it should have been here.“It would have given an opportunity for people to protest and show them what we're thinking, show the Palestinian people and show the world what I think the support is here for what they're going through.”For Rovers boss Stephen Bradley, the potential loss of six Nations League points is a price worth paying.“My view has been clear from months ago and that hasn't changed,” he said.“I think we're all quite clear in this country, anyone involved in football is quite clear that the game shouldn't go ahead. I've seen nothing to make me change my mind.“It was never about a football decision for me, ever. That's not what it was. But I always felt we'd go down this road because the powers that be aren't strong enough to make a decision.“Unfortunately, it's really, really poor. It's really sad that the players and the staff are being put in that position. It should have been taken out of their hands.“It feels like there's one rule for certain countries and one rule for another. FIFA, UEFA, it doesn't sit well.“I genuinely felt from day one this is what would happen because they would never be able to play here in Dublin. They wouldn't be accepted. And rightly so.“They shouldn't play it, I think. Six points. So what?”And what if Shamrock Rovers were to draw an Israeli team in Europe this year?Bradley replied: “I can't say one thing for Ireland and not for us. We could get them, I knew that when I spoke out, of course. That won't be changing.“I spoke to one of the owners today, I speak to the board, I told them. I had a conversation about everything in general. I told him that would be my view and that won't change.“There comes a point in life where you have to stand for something. What's happening, we all agree, is heart-breaking. It really is heart-breaking.“We're trying to smooth it over by saying we'll give them six points. Who cares about six points? Who cares, really?“Men, women and children are dying every day of the week. Yeah. It's horrible, yeah. Disgusting.”Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.
