Republic of Ireland vs Israel moved behind closed doors at neutral venue amid protest pressure

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that the Republic of Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel will be moved from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to a neutral venue and played behind closed doors, with UEFA approving the FAI’s relocation request.

The match had been scheduled for 4 October at the Aviva Stadium, but the FAI cited “operational challenges” in hosting the game on home soil. Israel’s home fixture in Group B3, due a week earlier, will also be played at a neutral location.

“Following consultation with various stakeholders, the Association is of the view that operational challenges could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil, so the fixture will be played away from the Aviva Stadium,” the FAI said in a statement. “The Association thanks An Garda Síochána for their support and advice over recent months and states that the decision to relocate to a neutral venue is one that has been considered an appropriate course of action by the FAI Board with the support of Uefa.”

The decision follows sustained pressure from protest groups within Ireland amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. There had been growing calls for the Republic of Ireland to boycott the fixture entirely, while the Irish Sport For Palestine organisation had launched a “Stop the Game” campaign.

Tensions around the fixture had been building since May, when a friendly between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium was disrupted after protesters threw tennis balls bearing the Palestinian flag onto the pitch.

The FAI has not yet confirmed the neutral venue where both Nations League matches against Israel will be staged.