John Martin Defends FAI's Decision on Israel Fixtures

The Republic of Ireland’s autumn Nations League campaign is now about far more than points on a table. It is tangled in politics, principle and pressure, and at the centre of it all John Martin has stepped forward to draw the fire.

The FAI Director of Football has made it clear: the decision to play Israel is the association’s, not the players’.

“It was a decision made by the association, by the board and by the executive,” he told RTÉ Sport. “People like me and David Courell made this decision, not the players.”

Games nobody wants, but feel compelled to play

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side are scheduled to face Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, on 27 September, with the ‘home’ leg set for 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia. Neutral venues, hostile backdrop.

In July, FAI delegates voted at an extraordinary general meeting to back the board’s decision to fulfil the fixtures. The margin – 68% to 32% – underlined that this is no unanimous stance within Irish football.

Outside the boardroom, the noise has only grown. Campaigns and calls for a boycott continue to circle the two games, with both the FAI and the players urged to withdraw on moral grounds.

The FAI has already confirmed that no tickets will be sold to Ireland supporters. The ‘home’ tie will be played behind closed doors. Only Israeli fans will be present in Debrecen. Ireland will travel without their own support and then “host” in an empty ground.

Martin doesn’t hide his discomfort.

“We all agree, and the association has been on the record to say that we don't want to be playing these games,” he said. “That is the reality. I don't want to play the games.”

So why go ahead?

Because, in his view, the consequences of not doing so could be brutal for the sport in Ireland. UEFA sanctions, potential financial and competitive penalties – the kind of long shadow that can hang over a small association for years.

“For that to impact Irish football, that's where I would maybe disagree with some of the voices who say we shouldn't play the game,” he explained. “I think it's for Irish football we will play the game.”

Shielding the dressing room

The public anger has a target. Martin is determined that it should not be the players.

“It’s really hard on the players because I think someone said, ‘oh, it's falling on the players’. It always falls on the players in a performance environment,” he said.

In this case, he argues, that’s wrong.

“We need to protect the players and look after the players because we shouldn't find a situation where they’re being criticised. People can criticise me and David, that’s fine.”

The reality, of course, is that when the whistle blows, it is the players who stand in the spotlight. They are the ones visible on the pitch, the ones whose names and faces front the fixture.

Martin accepts that burden, but wants the wider game to recognise where the responsibility lies.

“I would hope people can see that they're following the lead of the association and following the decision that the association took, as opposed to putting them at the centre.”

He insists that each squad member will be given a genuine choice over whether to make themselves available for the Israel games. No coercion, no pressure from above.

“It's a personal choice for the player,” he said. “We have a fantastic manager in person in Heimir who will manage that. At all stages, we need to mind the player. You should never forget the player.”

The FAI, he says, will support whatever decision individual players take.

“It’s going to be really difficult because it does fall on them naturally because they're on the pitch,” he admitted. But the message from Abbottstown is clear: the association owns the decision; the players should not be painted as its architects.

Separate storm: Shamrock Rovers investigation

While Martin tries to hold the line for the national team, another issue has swept him back into the headlines.

The Sunday Times reported that the FAI is investigating alleged third‑party ownership breaches involving Shamrock Rovers players Michael Noonan and Alex Noonan. The agreements in question date back to Martin’s time as CEO at Tallaght Stadium.

The optics are awkward. The governing body, Martin’s current employer, is probing matters tied to his former club and tenure. But he insists there has been no move to sideline him.

He has “absolutely not” been asked to step aside while the investigation is ongoing, despite the potential for a perceived conflict of interest. Crucially, he is not part of the FAI team handling the case.

The investigation will determine whether any FIFA rules were breached. Earlier this year, a complaint from Michael Noonan’s mother was lodged with the English FA over agent agreements. Shamrock Rovers then announced they were working with FIFA to review two agreements and stressed the club itself was not the focus.

The case has since been referred back to the FAI, which is now seeking documents to establish the facts. It is a slow, procedural process, but one that carries serious implications if wrongdoing is proven.

Martin, for his part, remains publicly unruffled.

“I'm very comfortable about my time from Shamrock Rovers, exceptionally comfortable,” he said. “I can't comment. I'll leave that to other people to figure that out. It's not something I'm worried about.”

He admits the situation is frustrating – not because of the scrutiny, but because he feels constrained in what he can say.

“There's things that I'd like to be able to go into more detail on,” he said. “I've been incredibly dignified, professional and respectful of the club. I intend to continue being dignified, professional and respectful towards the law because I think someone in my role needs that.”

He is adamant that public mud‑slinging would only damage the game’s image.

“I don't think Irish football needs people to be talking public negatively about each other because that damages the perception of the game. I'm a naturally positive person. I've only good things to say about the club. It's a situation I can't talk about. But I'm in no way worried about it.”

Two crises, then, running on parallel tracks: a national team walking into a political storm, and a domestic investigation tugging at the edges of governance and trust.

Martin has chosen to stand in front of both. The next few months will show whether Irish football believes that is enough.