UEFA refuses FAI's plea to separate Ireland and Israel draws
UEFA has rejected the Football Association of Ireland’s request to keep the Republic of Ireland and Israel apart in future draws, chief executive David Courell said. The two sides, drawn together in February, will meet in the Nations League on 27 September and 4 October, with the Irish home game to be played behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia.
Draws set despite objections
The Nations League fixtures will see the Republic of Ireland travel to Debrecen, Hungary for Israel’s ‘home’ match, with no tickets allocated for Irish supporters. The Irish home game, originally slated for Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, was confirmed in June to take place behind closed doors in Serbia, removing the usual crowd advantage.
FAI officials confirmed the venue switch in June, citing security concerns and the impossibility of guaranteeing fan safety at the Aviva Stadium. The decision means the match will be played without spectators, a rare occurrence for a senior international fixture.
FAI backs fixtures amid pressure
At an extraordinary general meeting in July, delegates voted to proceed with the games, warning that a boycott could cause significant and lasting harm to the association. The motion reflected a desire to protect the players’ interests despite mounting public criticism.
The ‘Stop The Game’ campaign, launched by Irish Sport for Palestine, has attracted backing from former manager Brian Kerr and ex‑player James McClean. Earlier in May, a friendly against Qatar in Dublin was disrupted when tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch, underscoring the heightened tension surrounding Israel‑related matches.
UEFA rejects separation request
Courell told reporters that UEFA’s response was clear: the governing body maintains a formal ‘do not draw’ list based on direct conflicts, not public sentiment. He added that Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict, so the request could not be accommodated.
The FAI had previously called for Israel’s removal from European competition, becoming the sole federation among the 55 UEFA members to do so formally. The broader backdrop includes the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people, and a United Nations estimate that more than 70,000 Palestinians have died in the ensuing conflict.
With the fixtures confirmed, the Republic of Ireland will travel to Serbia on 27 September, while Israel will host the Irish side in Hungary on 4 October. Both matches will proceed under the conditions set by UEFA and the FAI, despite ongoing calls for a boycott.