Ireland v Israel match: Harris urges FAI to ‘bring clarity’ to neutral venue row

A 'Stop the Game' banner during the recent Ireland-Qatar friendly international.

Nations League

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign called the decision “reprehensible”, with opposition parties labelling it “a cop out” and “nothing more than sportswashing”.

LAST UPDATE

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12 Jun

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland has confirmed that Uefa has approved a request to move Ireland’s home Nations League match against Israel to a neutral venue overseas.

The FAI announced the decision in a statement this morning, saying the match will also be played behind closed doors with no spectators in attendance.

Opposition parties have criticised the move, with the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign calling it “reprehensible”

The Republic of Ireland’s men’s soccer team is due to face Israel in the Nations League at a neutral venue on 27 September. A return game had been due to take place in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 4 October.

However, there has been a growing ‘Stop the Game’ campaign in recent weeks calling for the fixtures not to go ahead due to Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza.

In its statement, the FAI confirmed that Uefa “has approved a request to host the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixture between Ireland and Israel on October 4th overseas, in a neutral venue and behind closed doors”.

“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 football association said it “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 the fixture.

Palestinian Football Association statement

It also said it had been in contact with the Palestinian Football Association over the fulfilment of the fixtures, and shared a statement from them.

“The Palestinian Football Association expresses 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,” it reads.

“The Palestinian Football Association also affirms its respect for the decision made by the Football Association of Ireland within the framework of its sporting and international obligations, in a manner that enables it to continue fulfilling its noble mission of serving football and promoting the values of justice, solidarity, and mutual respect.”

The FAI said it is “deeply conscious of the suffering and devastation being endured by civilians in Gaza” and continues to reflect the sentiment of the motion that was proposed and voted in favour of by members of the FAI General Assembly in November 2025.

This motion was to issue a formal request to the Uefa Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from Uefa competitions for a breach of its statutes. Some 93% of FAI members voted in favour of it.

The FAI said that while it submitted this motion to Uefa and had consulted with officials for two years on the issue, it recognised that it had agreed to competition rules and regulations.

Boycott would have ‘broader consequences’

These outline that if an association refuses to play a match, that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition.

It said that if Ireland had boycotted the game against Israel, it would have forfeited six points and could have led to relegation of the team to League C of the Nations League. It also would have had a “direct impact” on Ireland’s Uefa and Fifa rankings, which would affect future qualification to competitions.

It also pointed out that the “converse” would apply for Israel, increasing its prospects of promotion in Uefa and Fifa competitions.

“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.”

The FAI said it will engage with its members at a forthcoming general meeting, but added that it remains committed to fulfilling each of its Nations League fixtures.

“While the FAI Board appreciates that the decision to fulfil this fixture back in February does affect many stakeholders, it would ask for consideration to be given to players and staff.”

The association also acknowledged that moving the game overseas will impact fans. It said it will update season ticket holders on ticketing arrangements once details are confirmed, which could include compensation.

The FAI Board would like to reiterate that its decision to fulfil the fixture has been made in the interest of Irish football.

‘Cop out’

Two motions tabled by Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats this week calling for games not to go ahead…