Drogheda United: Joanna Breen has asked to resign from the club’s board over Israeli comments

In November 2025, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) voted to apply to UEFA to ban Israel from participating in its club and international competitions.

The motion, which was approved by an overwhelming majority, urges UEFA to disqualify Israel for “violating two independent provisions of UEFA’s laws.”

The “violations” mentioned were “organizing clubs in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank without the approval of the Palestinian Football Association” and “failing to implement and enforce an effective anti-racism policy.”

Byrne, who is a member of the Irish Parliament for Louth and has been co-chairman of the club since 2023, made her position on Drogheda clear in a statement on Wednesday.

“On Monday morning, the board of Drogheda United Football Club informed me that my role as president of the club was no longer acceptable with the expectation that I would resign, which I told them I intended to resist,” she wrote.

“This unjustified action was taken following my public statement last week that Ireland should not play against Israel in the League of Nations while the genocide against the Palestinian people continues.

“It is extremely distressing that expressing a moral point of view – a point of view shared by the majority of Irish football fans – has led to this approach even though at no stage did I point out the club in doing so.

“I stand by these comments. They come from a deep belief in equality, human rights and the power of sports to take principled stands – as I have done so many times in history.

“These matches should not go ahead and I believe the pressure will grow against them in the coming days and weeks. This position is in line with the vote of Drogheda United delegates at the FA General Assembly in November to support UEFA’s proposal to ban Israel from participating in its European club and international competitions.

“Drogheda United has been part of my identity since childhood – standing on the terraces, traveling to away matches, sharing the triumphs and sorrows with family and neighbours. The club is woven into the fabric of my life and our city.”