Ireland 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Matt Doherty, Aviva Stadium. D Ribeiro, Shutterstock
The Republic of Ireland’s home UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel is expected to be moved from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to a neutral venue, with a location in Hungary understood to be the most likely alternative.
The match is currently scheduled for 4 October, but the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is expected to seek approval from UEFA to relocate the fixture, RTÉ Sport finds.
The issue was discussed during two recent meetings of the FAI board, including a meeting on Friday and another on Tuesday, where a decision was reached. The association is now expected to formally request UEFA’s approval for the proposed venue change.
Despite expectations that an announcement could be made on Tuesday, the FAI said it would not comment publicly on the matter until after a board meeting scheduled for Thursday. The association said it wished to avoid distracting from Carla Ward’s Ireland side as they prepare for their crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against France.
In a statement, the FAI said it is the responsibility of the board to protect the future interests of football in Ireland and stressed that any decision regarding the fixture is solely a matter for the association.
Irish football fans have expressed their opposition to Ireland playing Israel at all. LiamMurphyPics, Shutterstock
The development comes amid growing political debate over Ireland’s scheduled matches against Israel.
Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats are both bringing motions before the Dáil this week calling on the Government not to support the fixtures.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party’s motion supports the Stop the Game campaign and argued that Ireland should not play against Israel while the conflict in Gaza continues.
Social Democrats sport spokesperson Sinéad Gibney criticised the reported decision to move the game, saying it would deny Irish people the opportunity to engage in peaceful protest.
She also argued that relocating the match does not address wider concerns surrounding the fixture and expressed concern about the pressure being placed on players.
Campaigners behind the Stop the Game movement also rejected the proposed move.
In a statement, the group said transferring the match to a neutral venue would not change its opposition to the fixture and vowed to continue campaigning against both scheduled games.
Here's what Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith TD had to say on the matter, in Stop The Game's official statement.
“Changing the venue for the game is a cop out. We need to stop the game and be brave enough to walk away from the fixture."
“Too many lives have been lost as a direct consequence of the genocide Israel has waged on Palestine."
“Moving the venue does not answer the fundamental question here – Israel should not be enabled to participate in international football. As many in Ireland have long called for, isolating Israel in sport, across culture and through economic sanctions is crucial to end the violence and stop Netenyahu."
“Normalising Israeli’s participation in these sporting events is normalising genocide. We need to stand brave and stand up for what we believe in as a nation. The game must be abandoned.”
Originally, this home game was set to take place in the Aviva Stadium. 4K Clips, Shutterstock
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said his primary concern is ensuring the Irish team does not face sporting sanctions for failing to fulfil its fixtures.
He acknowledged widespread concern about events in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, describing the humanitarian situation as deeply troubling.
The Taoiseach added that the Government will continue to raise its concerns through the European Union, including discussions on the future of Israel’s trade agreement with the bloc.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson previously said decisions regarding the fixtures should be left to the Government.
However, the matter has now been addressed by the FAI, with further clarification on Ireland’s scheduled away match against Israel expected in the coming days.
That fixture could also be moved to the same neutral venue being considered for the October meeting.
Written by Louise Ducrocq
Louise is an expert content creator, and online author for Radio Nova. She's evolved in a few different fields, including mental health and travel, and is now excited to be part of the wonderful word of Radio.
