In November 2025, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) voted to submit a motion to European football’s governing body Uefa to ban Israel from its club and international competitions.
The motion, which was overwhelmingly passed, urged Uefa to exclude Israel for “violating two independent provisions of the Uefa statutes”.
The “violations” cited were the “organisation of clubs in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank without the consent of the Palestinian Football Association” and a “failure to implement and enforce an effective anti-racism policy”.
Byrne, who is the Teachta Dala (TD, Irish member of parliament) for Louth and has been co-chairperson at the club since 2023, explained her situation at Drogheda in a statement on Wednesday.
“On Monday morning, I was informed by the board of directors of Drogheda United Football Club that my role as chairperson of the club was no longer tenable with an expectation that I would resign, something I have told them that I intend to resist,” she wrote.
“This unwarranted action was taken after my public statement last week that Ireland should not play Israel in the Nations League while a genocide against the Palestinian people continues.
“It is profoundly hurtful that expressing a moral view – one shared by the majority of Irish football fans – has led to this approach despite me never referencing the club at any stage whilst doing so.
“I stand over those comments. They were made from a deeply held belief in equality, human rights and the power of sport to take principled positions – as it has done many times in history.
“These fixtures should not go ahead and I believe pressure will grow in the days and weeks ahead against them. This position is in line with Drogheda United delegates’ vote at the FAI General Assembly in November in supporting a motion for Uefa to ban Israel from its European club and international competitions.
“Drogheda United has been part of my identity since childhood – standing on the terraces, travelling to away games, sharing victories and heartbreaks with family and neighbours. The club is woven into the fabric of my life and of our town.”
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