FAI says UEFA refused request to keep Republic of Ireland and Israel apart after Nations League draw
Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said on Friday that UEFA rejected the FAI’s request to keep the Republic of Ireland and Israel separate in future competition draws after the teams were drawn together for Nations League fixtures on 27 September and 4 October.
The two nations were paired in February’s draw, and the FAI has faced mounting pressure over whether to fulfil the scheduled fixtures. At an extraordinary general meeting in July, delegates backed a motion to proceed with the games amid concerns that boycotting would cause "significant and lasting harm" for the association, while a campaign calling for a boycott was launched by Irish Sport for Palestine.
The FAI confirmed in June that Ireland’s designated home game on 4 October will be held behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia rather than at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, and that no tickets will be made available for Irish fans for Israel’s nominal home fixture in Debrecen, Hungary.
The boycott campaign has drawn endorsements from former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr and ex-player James McClean, and May’s friendly against Qatar in Dublin was disrupted when tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch. Hallgrimsson spoke to players individually about Israel games.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Courell said UEFA rejected the association’s request about future draws, which was made after the teams were drawn together in February. "The response was pretty clear. They [Uefa] have a formal term for it, I can't remember the formal term, the 'do not draw' list or whatever. It's based, really, on conflicts, direct conflicts, not public sentiment," said, external Courell. "The answer I got was very clear. That would not be possible, because Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict. That was an answer that I took at face value."
Courell told RTE he "appreciated" the "strength of sentiment" among the Irish public and reiterated the FAI’s previous formal call for action at European level. "We wish we weren't in this position. We have publicly called for, and formally called for, Israel's removal from international football," he said. "We were the only federation in Uefa, so one out of 55 that has done so formally. But at an institutional level, that hasn't happened yet. "As such, the decision rested with the FAI and we wanted particularly now to offer our spport and protection to the players because it's a decision that rested with the FAI board."
On discussions with UEFA, Courell said: "We have spoken to Uefa extensively over the last year, yes. And their response? It's the same as it has been for some time. They recognise the strength of conviction from the FAI on this topic and how that reflects the solidarity the Irish people have of the Palestinian plight. "But equally they have to consider the sentiment of 54 other nations. And unfortunately, at this moment in time, it's not universal." BBC Sport NI has contacted Uefa for comment.
The wider context includes the attack by the armed Palestinian group Hamas on 7 October 2023, which the source records as killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, and Israel’s subsequent military offensive in Gaza. The United Nations is reported to believe that the retaliation has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians; the source also records that Israel has regularly denied committing genocide or war crimes and has said its actions in Gaza have been justified as a means of self-defence.
The Nations League ties between the Republic of Ireland and Israel remain scheduled, with the teams due to meet on 27 September and 4 October; Ireland’s designated home fixture will be played behind closed doors in Backa Topola and Israel’s 'home' match will be staged in Debrecen with no tickets available for Irish supporters.