Republic of Ireland vs Israel Nations League tie moved to neutral venue

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that the upcoming Nations League home match against Israel, scheduled for October 4, will be moved from Dublin to a neutral overseas venue. Furthermore, the match will be played behind closed doors without any fans in attendance.

The governing body stated that the decision was reached following consultation with various stakeholders due to operational challenges that impacted the suitability of the Aviva Stadium to host the fixture. While the FAI had previously intended to stage the game in Dublin with police support, the association ultimately opted for a neutral location.

The FAI noted that it had maintained communication with the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) regarding the fixture. The PFA expressed appreciation for the FAI’s principled position and affirmed its respect for the decision made within the framework of sporting and international obligations.

The Israel Football Association responded by stating that the change of venue does not alter their ambition to win the match. UEFA has maintained a ban on hosting matches within Israel since October 2023, forcing the national team and clubs to play designated home fixtures in various European countries.