Irish footballers should ‘follow lead’ of musicians who withdrew from Sheeran tour, says TD

Irish footballers should “follow the lead” of musicians withdrawing from Ed Sheeran’s US tour amid a controversy over criticism of Israel, a People Before Profit-Solidarity (PBPS) TD has said.

Dublin West TD Ruth Coppinger also said to those players who “toe the line” that “it will be noted”.

Coppinger and PBPS TDs paid tribute to several acts who have pulled out of Sheeran’s tour , including Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, and Irish-American artist Finneas, at Leinster House on Wednesday.

She drew a direct line between what she said were “small acts of solidarity” and a “decision time for the (Irish football) players”, who face off against Israel in nations league matches later this month.