Irish athletes call on soccer stars to boycott Israel games - 'The most sporting thing you could do'

STOP THE GAME protesters outside the ground, calling for Republic of Ireland's upcoming matches against Israel to be stopped, before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Galway United and Shelbourne at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

    More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter to the Irish soccer team, calling on them to boycott the upcoming Uefa Nations League fixtures with Israel .

Controversy continues to rage over the fixtures, set for September 27 and October 4, which are being contested in neutral countries of Hungary and Serbia.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has assembled a 26-player squad for the matches, confirming all those he called up are willing to play. However, the Icelander said some are "really uncomfortable playing the games" .