{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/69a175830e3095585101052c?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"RTÉ Still Plans to Broadcast Ireland-Israel Match, Despite Letter Calling for Boycott - 27/02/2026","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/1772188967916-1df39101-4031-4a33-ab21-038465bc7785.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>RTÉ has reiterated that it will broadcast football matches involving Israel, despite calls for a Eurovision-style boycott.</p><p><br></p><p>Sinéad Gibney, the Social Democrats sports spokesperson, wrote to the broadcaster asking them not to support Israel’s “sportswashing endeavours” ahead of the country’s Nations League match with Ireland in October.</p><p><br></p><p>“Last year, RTÉ took a laudable stance in response to Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest by opting to not broadcast or participate in the 2026 competition,” Gibney wrote.</p><p><br></p><p>“I’ve asked that RTÉ now make the same commitment in this case. It is unconscionable to support the sportswashing endeavours of a country whose regime is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians by broadcasting and legitimizing their sporting pursuits.”</p><p><br></p><p>In response, RTÉ has maintained that it has contractual “and therefore binding legal obligations” to show the match.</p><p><br></p><p>The broadcaster said it is the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) responsibility to make decisions regarding participation. The FAI said Ireland will fulfil the fixtures.</p><p><br></p><p>Deputy Gibney joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}