Republic of Ireland vs Israel: FAI confirms home games will be played at neutral venues

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that Ireland’s Home Nations League match with Israel later this year will be played at a neutral venue.

The governing body’s board has met in recent weeks to discuss the “operational aspects” of hosting Israel in Dublin on October 4.

On Friday, the FAI said UEFA had approved the request to host the game at a neutral foreign venue and behind closed doors.

The teams are scheduled to meet at a neutral venue for Israel’s home Group B match on September 27.

This led to increased pressure for a boycott of the game in Ireland The ongoing conflict in the Middle EastA protest was held in the Dáil (Irish Parliament) last month in conjunction with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

A ‘Stop the Game’ campaign was launched by pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, following a 1-0 friendly win over Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in May. was interrupted When tennis balls bearing the Palestinian flag are thrown onto the field.

After the Nations League draw in February, the FAI confirmed it would fill the matches, with chief executive David Correll saying the governing body had “no choice” and could face “serious consequences” if it pulled out of the games.

Republic of Ireland veteran defender Seamus Coleman said this last month “We should have dealt with it above”When captain Nathan Collins said that if individual players felt strongly enough to boycott games, “We are not going to stand against them.”.