Republic of Ireland defender Séamus Coleman says questions about whether the Republic should play Israel in upcoming Nations League fixtures are not for players and coaches to manage directly. Speaking to RTE and echoed in BBC Sport coverage, Coleman argues that any issues surrounding the matches should be addressed by the sport’s governing bodies rather than being placed on the people taking part in the games. He characterizes the situation as one the team “should not be in,” adding that the responsibility for how such matters are handled should sit with the authorities that organize competitions. Coleman’s comments focus on process and responsibility, rather than making a direct call for a specific outcome for the fixtures. The reports present his view that players and coaching staff should not be left to answer or respond to the wider debate about the appropriateness of the fixtures. Both outlets frame his remarks as criticism of where the matter has landed, emphasizing that governance and decision-making should occur upstream of team involvement.