Ireland-Israel Nations League matches set for Sunday amid Gaza tensions
FAI voted to proceed with fixtures at neutral venues after calls for boycott over Gaza war.
What to know
- FAI delegates voted 75-32 in July to proceed with Nations League matches against Israel despite widespread calls for boycott over Gaza war.
- Both fixtures are being moved to neutral stadiums (Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday; Backa Topola, Serbia on October 4) with no Irish fan tickets sold and heightened security measures.
- RTE will broadcast stripped-down coverage without commentary or sponsorship income, citing contractual obligations only.
- Israel has been unable to play home matches for three years due to the Gaza conflict and has relied on Hungary as a base for 10 fixtures.
“Not playing the matches could have harmed Irish football in the long-run, the FAI said, amid the possibility of Uefa sanctions for refusing to fulfil the fixtures and the potential loss of millions of euros in income.”
FAI, Football Association of Ireland · BBC Sport ↗
Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Governing body for Irish footballRepublic of Ireland national team Participant in Nations LeagueIsrael national team Opponent in Nations LeagueRTE (Irish public broadcaster) Broadcast rights holderBohemians (Irish Premier Division club) Club with protesting supporters
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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upcoming
Return fixture scheduled for Backa Topola, Serbia — The second Nations League match will take place on October 4 in the small Serbian town of Backa Topola at a neutral stadium. The FAI cited "operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil" for moving the fixture from Dublin, with reports indicating concern that protests could prevent the match from taking place in Ireland.
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BBC details unprecedented security and broadcast measures for Sunday's match
BBC Sport reports that Sunday's match in Debrecen will be played at a neutral stadium with no away fans permitted and reduced television coverage. RTE will broadcast without commentators, pundits, or half-time analysis, and will not take advertising or sponsorship income, stating it will only "meet its contractual obligations" to broadcast the fixtures.
“RTE will only "meet its contractual obligations" to broadcast the fixtures.”
— RTE -
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Republic of Ireland to play Israel at Debrecen, Hungary — The Uefa Nations League match is scheduled for Sunday in Debrecen. No tickets have been sold to Irish fans, with only a small allocation for Israeli supporters. Israel has not played a fixture on home soil for three years since the start of the Gaza war and has used Hungary as a home base for 10 fixtures.
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FAI delegates vote 75-32 to proceed with Israel matches — The FAI put the question to a vote of its delegates, with 75 voting to play the matches and 32 voting to boycott. The FAI cited potential Uefa sanctions and loss of millions of euros in income as reasons to proceed.
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Irish fans protest during Qatar friendly with Palestinian flags — During a Republic of Ireland friendly against Qatar in Dublin, fans twice interrupted the match by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch featuring the Palestinian flag.
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FAI drawn with Israel in Nations League group — The Football Association of Ireland were placed with Israel, Austria, and Kosovo in the Uefa Nations League draw, immediately sparking calls from some quarters to boycott the matches.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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4 outlets Neutral venues and no 'away' fans - how Israel v Republic of Ireland became so contentious
first by BBC Football, 1d ago · also BBC Sport, Yahoo Sports, BBC
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