The UEFA home fixture is scheduled for Dublin on October 4, but there have been mounting calls for a neutral location or a boycott
Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Sarah O’Mahony and Mark Tighe
Today at 17:42
The Israel Football Association has said they have no safety concerns for their Dublin-based UEFA match versus Ireland.
Ireland is set to play its UEFA Nations League away match with Israel on September 27, but at a neutral venue outside Israel.
The home fixture is scheduled for Dublin on October 4, but there have been mounting calls for Ireland to opt to have the game hosted at a neutral venue overseas.
Others have called for boycotts of the fixtures.
A spokesperson for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed on Thursday that Ireland will honour both fixtures.
A spokesperson for the Israel Football Association said: “We are very happy with the draw and are only concerned with its professional aspects. They are challenging enough.
“The decision on where Ireland will host its games is its own alone. We have no concerns about arriving in Dublin.”
Speaking in Dublin yesterday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she disagreed with the Government’s position on the matter and said that Ireland should not host or participate in the games.
“I’m alarmed, frankly, that the reflex of the government and the Taoiseach was simply to give a Bible to Israel,” she said.
Ms McDonald said: “Israel should be given the red card. That should be absolutely clear, and Ireland should be to the forefront in confronting them for their actions, their genocidal actions in Palestine, not giving them any comfort whatsoever.”
She also appealed to broadcasters not to cover the messages.
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there are no security concerns to prevent the fixture from going ahead.
This contradicted a statement by the SIPTU trade union, which pointed to safety issues flagged by members.
“A match between Ireland and Israel is not only a serious political and moral issue but also has safety implications for workers and players which the FAI must consider,” Siptu deputy general secretary Greg Ennis said.
Former minister Alan Shatter has also commented on the issue, opposing calls for a boycott.
“Our participation in Eurovision is already sabotaged. Political parties, campaigning groups and obsessed individuals should stop trying to undermine, demoralise and sabotage Irish football and just cheer on our International team.”