'Israel stopped caring': Irish columnist contrasts teams ahead of contentious soccer match

Irish Times columnist Ken Early argues that Ireland's discomfort ahead of its soccer match against Israel stems from a compromised position, while Israel has 'stopped caring' and approaches the game confidently. Early contrasts the Irish association's contradictory votes on suspending Israel with Israel's assertive stance, citing examples like Manor Solomon's response to a journalist.

Irish Times columnist Ken Early published a sharply worded column arguing that Ireland's discomfort ahead of its soccer match against Israel stems from a compromised position, while Israel has 'stopped caring' and approaches the game confidently. Early contrasts the Irish Football Association's contradictory votes—93% in favor of suspending Israel from UEFA competitions in November, but 68% voting to play the matches in July—with Israel's assertive stance. He cites examples like Israeli player Manor Solomon's forceful response to an Austrian journalist's question about the war in Gaza, and Israel's decision not to exchange shirts after the match. Early concludes that the only meaningful protest Ireland could have made would have been to refuse to play, and since the decision was made to go ahead, it is time to just play the game.