James McClean has added his name to the growing list of people calling on the FAI to abandon the planned Nations League games against Israel in the autumn.
McClean went public on his Instagram account with his opposition to the away game in late September, probably in Budapest, and the home fixture at the Aviva Stadium in October.
The Derry-born former Ireland player also had a go at the FAI as he released his views on the same day that Sinn Fein voiced their support for the boycotting of the two games.
The Irish Mirror reports that McClean wrote: “You can write every letter, sign a million petitions, protest every day of the week but it will be like pissing into the wind for the sheer fact that there is not a backbone within the FAI.
“It’s a tough one in fairness for the players and I get it, it’s an opportunity to play a football game for your country, that being said I can’t see too many if any objecting to the game being played anyways, the decision should be taken out of their hands.
“Simply the game should never be going ahead, if there is one country that should recognise oppression and the turmoil that brings then it’s Ireland.. although with the decision makers in this country you’d be mistaken to think we ever had any history of it.
“There’s my thoughts for what it’s worth, have a great day.”
McClean’s remarks also came 24 hours after the Stop The Game group issued a public letter calling on the FAI to withdraw from the Israel fixtures with Brian Kerr, Louise Quinn, Kneecap, Paul Weller and Christy Moore among those to sign.
Shamrock Rovers captain and PFAI chair Roberto Lopes signed the letter and said: “We have to stop the game. As players and fans, our natural instinct is always to get out there and compete, but this is a moment where we need to look at the bigger picture.
“We can’t ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration.
“Ireland has an opportunity here to lead - to be a pioneer and do what others won’t. We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough. We can’t just stand by. Please, stop the game.”
He may be favourite to land the manager’s job on a full-time basis but Michael Carrick would still like clarity around his Manchester United future.
Carrick has steered United into the Champions League after a run of 10 wins in 14 games in charge after his appointment as interim boss in January.
The club’s hierarchy will make an announcement on their next boss after the final game of the season at Brighton on May 24th but Carrick remains in the dark according to a report in the Irish Sun.
“Listen, clarity is important,” Carick said. “I think moving forward, it’s at the end of the season where I think we’ve finished strong, put ourselves in a good position.
“And obviously the situation of my role and what it looks like moving forward, I think it’s just the natural time. It was always going to be spoken about towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season.
“So nothing has really changed, to be honest. We have eyes on finishing the season strongly as well. So I understand the question, I understand the timing of it.
“But from my point of view, right at this stage, it’s just putting the boys in a place to finish the season strongly. And then, as I’ve said all along, I’m calm about it, it’ll get sorted out when it’s going to get sorted out. It’s out of my hands, so we’ll see what happens.”
Birthday boy Luis Enrique has described Paris St Germain;s Champions League semi-final defeat of Bayern Munich as a ‘gift’ as he looks forward to a final date with his old mate Mikel Arteta in Budapest.
The Irish Examiner reports on Enrique’s reaction to the win ahead of his 56th birthday on Friday.
“Good memories,” said Enrique. “We could leave the match with a lot of intensity. The defence were better than the attack. The character we showed against a team like Bayern is so positive. We’re so happy to reach a second Champions League final in a row.
“It was very intense. Very difficult. They play football at the highest level. Both teams are similar, we love to press higher. We are very happy.
“In two days I’m going to celebrate my birthday. I’m very happy. We’re in the next phase of the competition, the final of the Champions League. We want to give our supporters that kind of gift.”
US President Donald Trump is the latest voice to criticise the cost of World Cup tickets this summer - just a day after FIFA’s top dog Gianni Infantino defended the extortionate dynamic pricing model in use for the tournament.
Trump made the remarks after he was informed that the cheapest ticket for the US national team’s opening game against Paraguay is a whopping $1,120.
The Guardian reports that Trump stated: “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you. If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, it’s an amazing success.
“I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.”
Fan power has forced Liverpool to reduce a planned increase in ticket prices for the next two seasons.
The current English champions will now increase ticket prices by three per cent for next season then freeze them for the 2027-28 campaign.
The club had planned to increase prices in line with inflation for the next three seasons but have now announced the new changes following discussion with the club’s supporters board.
According to the BBC, season tickets for the Kop will cost £734.50 next season, the cheapest available, while the most expensive will cost £931 in the Main Stand.
Match day tickets next season will cost £30 in the Anfield Road Stand and £62.75 in the Main Stand.
