Israel Olympic Chair Arad Urges Sportsmanship Ahead of Ireland Football Match
Israel Olympic Committee Chair Yael Arad urged the national football team to maintain sportsmanship and avoid provocations ahead of their tense Nations League match against Ireland.
The Chair of the Olympic Committee of Israel, Yael Arad, addressed the upcoming tense UEFA Nations League football match between the Israeli national team and Ireland, scheduled for Sunday. Amid sharp statements from the Irish side regarding the situation in Gaza and strong reactions from the Israeli Football Association, Arad expressed deep regret that sports are losing their unifying role and urged the players to maintain sportsmanship.
The Unifying Power of Sport vs. Political Tensions
"In recent days, we have witnessed numerous blunt statements from the Irish side and significant responses from the Israeli side regarding the upcoming football match," Arad stated. "I follow these developments with great sorrow because instead of sport remaining almost the only factor in our world that unites peoples, individuals, and religions—allowing athletes to inspire fans worldwide and convey a message of unity and inclusion—precisely the opposite is happening."
She emphasized that Israeli athletes compete globally in hundreds of events annually despite complex security challenges and delegitimization campaigns, consistently extending a hand to athletes of all nationalities and embodying Olympic values.
A Call for Fair Play and Resilience
Addressing the team management and head coach Ran Ben Shimon, Arad offered her backing and underscored the heavy responsibility resting on the players' shoulders.
"Save your sportsmanship, do not be drawn into provocations even when they may be frustrating, and remember that the best answer is always on the pitch."
Arad concluded by calling on the squad to represent Israel with pride, focus on athletic excellence, and demonstrate the true spirit of fair play.
