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Protesters Rally at FAI Headquarters Over Israel Fixtures as Association Stands By Plan to Play

UEFA's bar on hosting in Israel means Ireland's away tie is set for a neutral venue.

Overview

  • About 50 demonstrators gathered outside the FAI offices in Blanchardstown to urge a boycott and delivered a letter listing Palestinian sportspeople reported killed.
  • The FAI says it will fulfil the Nations League games against Israel despite an earlier members' vote urging a UEFA ban and a formal request sent to UEFA last November.
  • Ireland are scheduled to face Israel away on 27 September at a neutral site and at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on 4 October.
  • People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger renewed calls for a boycott, while Tánaiste Simon Harris defended proceeding and cautioned that withdrawal could damage Irish soccer.
  • Trade union Siptu said FAI staff had raised serious safety concerns about staging any fixture against Israel and pressed the association to rule out the match.