SIPTU has written to RTÉ calling on the station to refuse to broadcast scheduled football fixtures against Israel and has committed to supporting workers who refuse to work on them.
Earlier this month, the FAI confirmed that the Republic of Ireland’s home UEFA Nations League fixture with Israel will be moved to a neutral venue.
The match, scheduled for 4 October, will switch from the Aviva Stadium to a neutral ground.
In a letter to RTÉ, SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said the Irish Government and the FAI must step up to ensure the matches do not take place.
“Should they fail to do so, SIPTU workers in RTÉ will not accept being put on the wrong side of history,” Mr O’Kane wrote.
“We note and praise the decision by RTÉ, along with other European Public Broadcasting Networks, to refuse to broadcast the Eurovision earlier this year.”
“We are asking that RTE show the same moral courage on this occasion and refuse to broadcast the matches scheduled for September and October,” he added.
RTÉ said it has a contractual obligation that the Nations League matches with Israel, in September and October, be broadcast.
“Non-broadcast of these games would result in breach of contract, jeopardising RTÉ’s existing rights, and also impacting negatively on RTÉ’s sports rights acquisition activities into the future,” a spokesperson said.
“Unlike the recent situation with the Eurovision Song Contest where, as a participating member, RTÉ had full agency in its decision not to participate or broadcast, the broadcast of these games is mandatory under RTÉ’s rights contract.”
“RTÉ does not have discretion to elect that these particular two matches should not be broadcast,” they added.
