Republic of Ireland v Israel: Palestine FA does not support Nations League venue change

Despite facing calls to boycott the games, the FAI insisted it would fulfill the fixtures because withdrawing the matches “would have a profound impact on the whole of Irish football”.

It said that not meeting the games would result in the forfeiture of six points which could lead to relegation to Ligue C in the Nations League and impact on the team’s UEFA and FIFA rankings, highlighting that “the opposite of these effects will apply to Israel”, increasing their chances of Nations League promotion and Euro 2028 qualification.

In Thursday’s statement, the Palestine FA added that it has a “long-standing policy” of respecting that each association can make its own decisions, but reiterated that it does not support match-fixing and said “our position on Israeli football remains unchanged and unequivocal”.

“While the PFA respects the right of each association to determine how it navigates its own sporting, legal and regulatory obligations, such respect should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of any particular decision,” it added.

On October 7, 2023, a Hamas-led attack on Israel killed approximately 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 people in Gaza.

More than 70,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry – with more than 1,000 Palestinians reported killed in the West Bank.

The Palestine FA said it “continues to be held accountable by FIFA and other international sports bodies for continued violations of FIFA law”, saying athletes have been killed in the conflict and sports infrastructure destroyed, as well as the “devastating impact of Israel’s war on all aspects of Palin’s life”.

It added: “The PFA rejects any characterization that could be interpreted as providing political or moral cover for Israel’s continued participation in international football while these serious violations persist.

“The PFA will not and will not participate in any effort that normalizes these realities or contributes to the sports washing of crimes committed against the Palestinian people.”

Israel is scheduled to face the Republic of Ireland at a neutral venue on September 27 for Israel’s home Group B 3 match.

The Football Association of Ireland has been contacted for comment.