Joanna Byrne, Sinn Fein TD & Spokesperson for Sport - Full statement: Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport, Joanna Byrne TD, has said that today’s confirmation by the FAI that they intend to move Ireland’s Nations League fixture against to a neutral venue behind closed doors is a cowardly decision that flies in the face of the will of the Irish public and the football community to Stop the Game. She said that the board of the FAI has acted unilaterally without consultation with its own stakeholders and members, who a fortnight ago called for an EGM to discuss this issue, a date for which has still not been provided by the association. She also criticised the government for voting down Sinn Féin’s motion this week that would have supported Irish football by providing a clear roadmap for the FAI to do the right thing. Teachta Byrne said: “Today’s confirmation that the FAI will move the Nations League Fixture against Israel to a neutral venue and behind closed doors flies in the face of the demands of the Irish public and the Irish football community, including the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFAI) and Irish Football Supporters Partnership (IFSP), to Stop The Game. “Today’s hollow and self-serving statement from the FAI shows that while they have heard the growing discontent among the Irish public, predictably they have clearly not listened to it. “The board of the FAI has acted unilaterally without consultation with the association’s own members, who on this day two weeks ago submitted enough signatures to call an EGM to discuss the call to Stop the Game. A fortnight on, and no date has been provided by the board for this EGM to take place. “Moving these games to a neutral venue - locking out Irish supporters in the process - is the cowards’ way out. Not only should this match not be played in Ireland, it should not be played anywhere while a genocide in Palestine is ongoing. “The daily slaughter of Palestinian people, including footballers, cannot be ignored. Not by the Irish government and not by the FAI. “The motion brought forward by Sinn Féin this week gave government the opportunity to provide a clear roadmap for the FAI to do the right thing. Instead, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael chose to look the other way. “Government spin has focused on sanctions, implications and consequences for the FAI should they refuse to fulfil these fixtures. “Had the government backed Sinn Féin’s proposals, the FAI would have been empowered to take a moral and courageous stance that, rather than damaging Irish football, would have enhanced the FAI’s standing. “Ireland being drawn against Israel was the nightmare scenario that no one wanted. We have been clear that Israel should not have been in the competition in the first place. UEFA should have expelled them as soon as Israel embarked on a genocidal, ethnic-cleansing mission in Gaza that has seen tens of thousands of innocents murdered, including hundreds of sports men and women. “They should have been sanctioned long before that for their breaches on clubs in illegal settlements built on land stolen from Palestinians. No sanctions, no expulsion, because UEFA and FIFA are serving their own political interests cosying up to US and Israeli governments. “Today’s decision by the FAI leaves the team - our international footballers - exposed and vulnerable, and carrying a burden they should never have to carry. Where is the support and leadership from the FAI? Where is the support and leadership from government? “Today’s decision will not dampen the momentum around the Stop The Game Campaign, it will only make it stronger. The calls of the FAI’s own members, the PFAI, the Trade Union movement, and the vast majority of Irish footballing fans will not be silenced. “We say no double standards, no to genocide and no to complicity in sportwashing. Stop The Game.”

STATEMENT IN FULL The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirms that UEFA has approved a request to host the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixture between Ireland and Israel on October 4th overseas, in a neutral venue and behind closed doors. 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 Association thanks An Garda Síochana 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 Association understands and respects the views expressed by players and staff, supporters, its members, campaigners, members of the public and the Irish footballing community in relation to this fixture. In recent months, the Association has been in communication with the Palestinian Football Association regarding the fulfillment of the fixtures and they have shared the following statement: “The Palestinian Football Association expresses its appreciation for the principled positions taken by the Football Association of Ireland in support of the rights of the Palestinian people and Palestinian athletes. The Palestinian Football Association also affirms its respect for the decision made by the Football Association of Ireland within the framework of its sporting and international obligations, in a manner that enables it to continue fulfilling its noble mission of serving football and promoting the values of justice, solidarity, and mutual respect.” The Association is deeply conscious of the suffering and devastation being endured by civilians in Gaza and continues to reflect the sentiment of the motion that was proposed and voted in favour of by members of the FAI General Assembly in November 2025. This motion was to issue a formal request to the UEFA Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions for a breach of UEFA statutes. While the Association submitted that motion to UEFA and has consulted with UEFA officials for almost two years on this issue, it does recognise that the UEFA competition rules and regulations that the Association agreed to. These outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition. In February 2026, Ireland were drawn into Group B3 of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League alongside Austria, Israel and Kosovo. The Association stated at the time that the Ireland team would proceed with all scheduled fixtures and maintains this position given it would have a profound impact on the whole of Irish football. If the Association opted not to fulfil the fixtures, the immediate result would be: - The forfeiture of six points (which could lead to relegation to League C in the UEFA Nations League and weaken our qualifying potential for UEFA EURO 2028) - A direct impact on Ireland’s UEFA and FIFA rankings (which would affect future qualification to UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups). - The converse of these impacts would apply for Israel (which would increase their prospects of promotion in the UEFA Nations League and qualification to UEFA EURO 2028) Beyond the sporting implications, there would be broader consequences for Irish football, such as reduced capacity to support clubs and leagues through critical services such as safeguarding, educational programmes, and player development opportunities. Also, the impact on Ireland international teams could result in the withdrawal of underage teams and a reduction in the level of support and services provided to players & staff. The Association will engage with its members at a forthcoming Extraordinary General Meeting, but reminds its members that it is the responsibility of the FAI Board to protect the future interests of football in Ireland and, therefore, remains committed to fulfilling each of its 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixtures. While the FAI Board appreciates that the decision to fulfil this fixture back in February does affect many stakeholders, it would ask for consideration to be given to players and staff. The Association acknowledges the impact the change of venue will have on its loyal Season Ticket holders and Club Ireland members. Once all details are established around the fixture on October 4th, the Association will update its 2026 FAI Season Ticket holders and Club Ireland members on the appropriate ticketing arrangements, which may include compensation owed or the potential of availing of an extra home game in 2027. The FAI Board would like to reiterate that its decision to fulfil the fixture has been made in the interest of Irish football.