The Football Association of Ireland [FAI] says it will “continue to meet to discuss the operational aspects” of hosting Israel in the Nations League.
On Monday, RTE reported, external the game, scheduled for Dublin on 4 October, is set to be moved to a neutral venue pending Uefa approval – seven days after the teams meet at a neutral venue for Israel’s home Group B3 fixture.
A number of protests in the Republic of Ireland have taken place calling for the team to boycott the fixtures because of the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
A ‘Stop The Game’ campaign has been launched by the pressure group Irish Sport For Palestine, while May’s 1-0 victory over Qatar at the Aviva Stadium was twice disrupted when tennis balls featuring the Palestine flag were thrown onto the pitch.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Jamie McGrath said he expects the protests “will heat up over the next few months” while defender Seamus Coleman has said the issue “should have been dealt with above us”.
In February, the FAI confirmed the team will fulfil the fixtures as “Uefa regulations 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”.
An announcement on the issue was expected on Monday, but with the Republic of Ireland women’s crunch World Cup qualifier against France in Grenoble on Tuesday, the FAI has said it “will not be releasing a statement on any decision on this matter until after the board meeting scheduled for 11 June, due to the hugely significant game taking place on Tuesday for our women’s national team”.
It looks increasingly likely both games against Israel will now take place on neutral territory, with the FAI stressing its decision will not be swayed by outside opinions.
“The association reiterates that it is the responsibility of the board of the FAI to protect the future interests of football in Ireland,” the statement added.
“Any decision around the game is solely a matter for the association.”
