Séamus Coleman says questions about the Republic of Ireland's fixtures against Israel should be addressed by governing bodies rather than the responsibility being placed on the players and coaches to speak out.
The Boys in Green are due to face Israel twice in the autumn after the two men's senior teams were drawn together in Group B3 of the UEFA Nations League.
The FAI chief executive David Courell has said that they have "no choice" but to fulfil the fixtures, adding that "while our federation and our members have made our position clear in terms of Israel's involvement in international football, that has not been taken on board by UEFA".
Ireland's away game against the Israelis on 27 September is expected to be at a yet-to-be-confirmed neutral venue.
The home match is slated to be at Aviva Stadium on 4 October.
Amid the ongoing situation in Gaza, those fixtures have generated controversy and protest.
On Tuesday, the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign staged a protest outside Dáil Éireann, calling for the cancellation of the matches.
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That day, Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins said no player would be discouraged from taking a stand over the fixtures against Israel if they wish to do so.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson addressed the matter in Wednesday's press conference ahead of tonight's friendly against Qatar at Aviva Stadium.
He said it was "unfair for the players to be in this position and us to be in this position" in regard to fielding questions about whether the Israel matches should be fulfilled or not.
Ireland veteran Coleman, who was alongside Hallgrimsson at FAI HQ, echoed his manager's view when asked about his own thoughts.
"My views are very clear on the fact that Nathan and the younger players, and Ireland, the fans, the manager, it should not have landed on our toes to answer questions about this," he said.
"It should have been dealt with above us. I said it to Tony (O'Donoghue, RTÉ soccer correspondent) earlier, I am a dad, I am a husband, I've got a heart, I know the difference between right and wrong.
"I mean if I ask you the same question, I'm sure you're all of the same opinion of what's happening.
"It's awful, it is extremely sad and it's a very difficult position for the players to be in.
"I don't think we should be in this position. Absolutely not. But of course we've got to answer on it. It is very uncomfortable."
The former Everton captain added that the onus should be on world, European or national governing bodies to deal with the issue first and foremost.
"Yeah, the FAI, UEFA, whatever it is. I feel like it should not have landed on 22, 23, 24-year-old lads that are here to play for their country. It shouldn't have landed on them," said the 37-year-old.
"We represent our people, the people of Ireland, so we've got to take that into account of what their opinion is on it as well.
"It's not straightforward either. That's the human side, that's so, so important.
"Like everyone in here, like the manager talked on, it should not have been on our toes. Then there is the football side, and the sanctions and everything that comes with it. It is very difficult for us players, difficult for the manager, and all the staff that we are dealing with this.
"But of course, you know our feelings as human beings."
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