Key facts
- Ireland's Nations League fixture against Israel on October 4 will be played at a neutral venue overseas.
- The match will be held behind closed doors.
- UEFA approved the Football Association of Ireland's (FAI) request to relocate the game.
- The FAI cited potential operational challenges and the prospect of protests as reasons for the move.
- Failure to play the fixture could lead to forfeiture of points, relegation, and damage to Ireland's football rankings.
The Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixture against Israel, scheduled for October 4, will be held at a neutral overseas venue and behind closed doors. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced the decision, stating that UEFA had approved its request.
The move comes amid significant pressure and calls for a boycott of the matches due to Israel's ongoing military operations in the Middle East. Campaigners and some opposition politicians had advocated for boycotting the games, citing humanitarian concerns.