SOCCER chiefs in the north are facing calls to cancel a friendly match against Israel due to be played in Belfast next week.
The Northern Ireland clash with Israel is scheduled to be played at Windsor Park in Belfast next Tuesday.
A Change.org petition organised by BDS Ireland has called on IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson to cancel the forthcoming match.
To date more than 5,000 people have signed the petition.
BDS Ireland promotes the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign, which encourages the international community to turn its back on Israel because of its treatment of Palestinians.
BDS Ireland has said: "This is part of the Israeli government's 'sports-washing' propaganda strategy, which exploits sporting events to hide its systemic human rights abuses against Palestinians.
A spokesman for The Irish Football Association dismissed the call to cancel the match.
“The Irish FA has no intention of cancelling the international challenge match between Northern Ireland and Israel on September 11,” he said.
