RTÉ says it is legally obliged to screen Ireland's home game with Israel

The broadcaster rejects the suggestion that showing the game is inconsistent with its decision to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest

Protest at FAI Headquarters to demand a boycott of Ireland v Israel Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

RTÉ has confirmed it will screen Ireland's home Nations League fixture with Israel, set to be played at the Aviva Stadium on October 4th, adding that it is legally obliged to do so.

The broadcaster rejects the suggestion this is inconsistent with its decision, announced in December, to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, due to Israel's continued participation. 

A statement from Neil O’Gorman, RTÉ's Corporate Communications Manager, said: “If the match goes ahead – and that is a decision for the FAI as the relevant national sporting body – RTÉ will broadcast it in line with its contractual and therefore binding legal obligations and of course our overall commitment to supporting Ireland’s national teams.

"In essence, the decisions regarding participation by Ireland’s national soccer team in any tournament are the responsibility of the appropriate official national sporting body – in this case the FAI. Decisions relating to the broadcast of these events are therefore dependent on such decisions."

Rejecting the comparison with Eurovision, O'Gorman added: "RTÉ’s decision in this case is different to RTÉ’s decision regarding the Eurovision Song Contest, which is owned and run by the EBU, for one main reason. In that case, it is national public service broadcasters/media (PSM’s) who operate the selection process to decide which song/artist will represent their country in the Contest and therefore it is entirely the decision of the PSM whether to take part or not. 

"In Ireland, the responsibility obviously falls to RTÉ as Ireland’s national PSM, and a member of the EBU. So, RTÉ was able to make an independent decision on both participation and broadcasting of the Eurovision.”