FAI decision on Ireland-Israel Nations League match expected today

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and Séamus Colemand during a press conference last month. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

The FAI are expected to make an announcement on Monday about the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixture against Israel, Government sources have indicated.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men are due to take on Israel at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on October 4.

Pressure has been building on the FAI and the Government for the match to be called off due to the opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

The FAI board met last week to discuss the match.

Senior Government sources told the Irish Examiner that the FAI is expected to make an announcement about the match on Monday.

The nature of the announcement is not yet known. There is a growing belief in Government circles that the match will not be held in Dublin and that it is likely to take place at a neutral venue.

Political pressure is due to ramp up this week in the Dáil as both Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats table motions seeking the game to be boycotted.

The Government has repeatedly said the decision on whether to play the game lies with the FAI and it will support any decision it makes.

Fifa and Uefa have applied no sanctions on Israel despite the United Nations finding them guilty of genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. This contrasts with their indefinite suspension of Russia within days of them invading Ukraine.

Hallgrimsson last week highlighted the double standards but said that he did not think Ireland should boycott the match.

Seamus Coleman, meanwhile, said that the decision should not be left to players whether they want to play the match, and should have been “dealt with above us” by the FAI or Fifa.

"We represent our country, the people of Ireland,” he said.

“We have to take that into account, what their opinion is on it as well.

"It is not straightforward either. That is the human side, which is so so important.”