Sunday Football

It was back in September 2013 that the possibly of international Sunday football was first mentioned. See here. UEFA, the European football governing body, indicated that they were taking control of arranging the fixtures of their qualifying competition rather than the countries themselves. This was part of UEFA's plans to maximise television revenue and exposure for the tournament. That change would inevitably bring about the situation where Northern Ireland would end up playing a home international fixture on the Lord's day.

For decades Sunday football was not allowed to be played in Northern Ireland at all. It was six years ago that the Irish Football Association decided to change that rule allowing teams to play on the Sabbath day. A few Irish League sides have done so, but not the international team.

Sabbath observance has been sacrificed once again on the altar of commercial advantage. This is the new god that is worshipped today!

Much has been written about this new development:
Belfast Newsletter - Sunday football: Clergyman plans protest at stadium

Belfast Newsletter - Gerry Armstrong: We’re behind the times on Sunday football
Belfast Telegraph - Never on Sunday? An unholy row kicks off over Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 tie
Belfast Telegraph - Poll: Windsor Park gets first Sunday game - Protests feared over Euro 2016 home qualifier

Belfast Telegraph - Sunday football can't be own goal

There have been previous posts on this Blog highlighting the issues surrounding keeping the Sabbath:

Friday, 27th December 2013 - The Evil of Sabbath Desecration

Monday, 19th March 2012 - National decline tied to Sabbath desecration

Monday, 11th April 2011 - Sunday Trading laws consultation

Thursday, 2nd December 2010 - The Sabbath day under attack again

Whether it is Sunday racing or Sunday football these changes mark the departure from God that is tasking place in our society. These are the marks of apostasy from God and the development of that spirit of lawlessness that will mark the days preceding the coming of the Lord. 

Forsaking God's ways always carries a cost, socially, economically, spiritually and eternally. There is a certainly the need for the Lord to visit this land again with a breath of Revival. Our prayer should be: It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law, Psalm 119:126.