Ireland to face Israel in Serbia
The Republic of Ireland’s controversial Nations League tie against Israel is now set to take place on Sunday 4 October at a neutral venue in Bačka Topola, Serbia, the FAI confirmed this week.
The change of venue away from Ireland has been approved by UEFA and the game will be played in the TSC Arena in Backa Topola behind-closed-doors, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.
At that stage, Ireland will already have faced Israel in their ‘home' game which will take place at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday 27 September.
The prospect of the Republic of Ireland playing Israel in a high-profile sporting competition has lead to a number of protests and calls for Ireland to boycott the game. Fans have protested at the Republic of Ireland’s most recent game at home against Qatar before the World Cup, as well as at many League of Ireland games as well.
On Monday in a statement, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed the news that the tie will take place in Serbia, adding “this follows a decision taken by the FAI board to move the fixture to a neutral territory due to operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil.
“The change of venue has been approved by UEFA and the game will be played in the TSC Arena in Backa Topola behind-closed-doors, with the kick-off time to be confirmed in due course. As a result of the change of venue for the Israel fixture, the association will update its 2026 FAI season ticket holders and Club Ireland members regarding compensation owed.”
Ireland will begin their campaign away to Kosovo on Thursday 24 September, before traveling to Hungary. On Thursday 1 October, Ireland will then play Austria at home prior to the fixture in Serbia.
SIPTU letter
Last week the trade union SIPTU wrote to RTÉ calling on the organisation to refuse to broadcast the football fixtures against Israel. It has also has committed to supporting workers who refuse to work on them.
In the letter to RTÉ, SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “The Irish Government and the FAI must step up to ensure the matches don't take place. Should they fail to do so, SIPTU workers in RTÉ will not accept being put on the wrong side of history, assisting with sportswashing Israel's genocide against Palestinians.”
He added: “We note and praise the decision by RTÉ, along with other European public broadcasting networks, to refuse to broadcast the Eurovision earlier this year. We are asking that RTÉ show the same moral courage on this occasion and refuse to broadcast the matches scheduled for September and October.
“There is widespread anger amongst the Irish public that these games are taking place when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel is plausibly committing the crime of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
“Furthermore, a UN Independent Commission of Inquiry and the International Association of Genocide Scholars concluded that Israel is committing a genocide.”