Ireland v Israel moving closer to neutral venue as FAI board meet again

Ireland are scheduled to face Israel at home in the Nations League on October 4

Last week's Ireland v Qatar game was interrupted by protesters throwing tennis balls emblazoned with Stop The Game onto the Lansdowne Road pitch. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

The FAI are expected to confirm the switch of their home game against Israel to a neutral country following a board meeting today.

Pressure has grown on the association to move the October 4 game out of Dublin and, ahead of a Dáil motion by Sinn Féin on Tuesday calling for the Government to support a boycott, they’ve decided to act.

While the FAI will have to compensate 30,000 season ticket holders, the feeling is additional sales will be sluggish for a fixture which public sentiment has grown against.

The Stop The Game campaign, with support from Brian Kerr, Pico Lopes and James McClean, last week lodged a motion that is due to be voted on at an upcoming emergency general meeting of the FAI.

Last week’s men’s friendly against Qatar was interrupted twice by protesters throwing tennis balls, emblazoned with Stop The Game, onto the Lansdowne Road pitch.

On the eve of the game, Ireland defender Séamus Coleman spoke of how an ‘uncomfortable’ situation for players should have been ‘dealt with’ by the FAI and Uefa since the draw was made in February.

Another player, Jamie McGrath, also admitted he would consult with his family before deciding whether to participate.

The FAI board met last Thursday to consider the EGM motion and are convening again today remotely to progress the matter.

It is now anticipated that they will update Sports Minister Charlie McConalogue ahead of him speaking during the motion’s debate on Tuesday.