Ireland v Israel to be held behind closed doors at neutral venue

The FAI confirmed the news on Friday. 

POLITICAL FOOTBALL: Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson who will bring his side overseas to face Israel. Pic: Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile

The Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixture with Israel on October 4 will be held behind closed doors in a neutral venue overseas, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has announced.

In a statement on Friday, the FAI said UEFA had approved its request to hold the fixture overseas.

The move came amid the prospect of major protests around the the fixture because of Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Middle East.

Campaigners and some opposition politicians had called for an overall boycott of the fixture, as well as the away game scheduled for September 27.

An FAI statement read: “Following consultation with various stakeholders, the Association is of the view that operational challenges could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil, so the fixture will be played away from the Aviva Stadium.

“The Association understands and respects the views expressed by players and staff, supporters, its members, campaigners, members of the public and the Irish footballing community in relation to this fixture.”

It said the Palestinian Football Association had expressed its “appreciation for the principled positions taken by the Football Association of Ireland in support of the rights of the Palestinian people and Palestinian athletes”.

The FAI said it is “deeply conscious of the suffering and devastation being endured by civilians in Gaza”, adding that it continues to “reflect the sentiment” of a motion of its General Assembly last year to issue a formal request to the UEFA Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from its competitions.

It added: “While the Association submitted that motion to UEFA and has consulted with UEFA officials for almost two years on this issue, it does recognise that the UEFA competition rules and regulations that the Association agreed to… outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition.”

It said if it did not fulfil the fixtures with Israel, the immediate result would be the forfeiture of six points which could lead to relegation to League C in the Nations League and weaken its qualifying potential for Euro 2028.

It would also impact on Ireland’s UEFA and FIFA rankings, which could affect future qualification to European Championships and World Cups.

It pointed out the “converse” would apply for Israel, increasing its prospects of promotion.

The FAI said: “Beyond the sporting implications, there would be broader consequences for Irish football, such as reduced capacity to support clubs and leagues through critical services such as safeguarding, educational programmes, and player development opportunities.”