The FAI has confirmed that the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixture with Israel will be moved from the Aviva Stadium to a neutral venue in October.
Irish Times Soccer Correspondent Gavin Cooney told Behind the Story he is not sure this is the end of the row.
“It’s a significant move by the FAI… but also not significant enough for the very large number of people in Ireland who are opposed to this match being played at all,” he said.
“There’s a very vociferous opposition group who have called themselves ‘Stop the Game’, not ‘Move the Game’.
“So that pressure and that criticism on the FAI will remain and only intensify, even despite the fact that the game won’t be played here.”
The cost to Ireland
Mr Cooney said forfeiting the game would have awarded Israel a 3-0 win, at both this and the reciprocal game, and would also cost Ireland its rankings.
“That means their world ranking drops, it makes it harder to get a good seeding to get into future tournaments – which provide the real money to keep the game going here,” he explained.
“Conversely, it would also mean that Israel would gain six points and make it more likely that they would qualify for Euro 2028 – which, as we know, is being co-hosted in Dublin.”
‘Unrealistic’
Mr Cooney said he was surprised it took so long for the FAI to come to this decision.
“When the draw was first made, it was hard to imagine how this game was ever going to go ahead normally in Dublin, given the strength of public opinion on Israel’s actions in Gaza and more laterally in Lebanon,” he said.
“It seems unrealistic it could have gone ahead without a hick up.
“I think it has taken (the FAI) a little bit too long to come to the realisation that this game cannot happen here.
“I think the FAI were always going to fulfil the fixture – I think moving it to a neutral venue was an inevitable decision, and I think the FAI should have been able to see that from the moment of the draw.”
Mr Cooney said he can foresee some players “coming under pressure to take a personal boycott and not play the game”.
“The protests, the opposition to this, are going to become more and more intense,” he said.
“It’s going to be very difficult for the managers and the players around this game.”
The FAI said they reached their decision after consultation with the Palestinian Football Association and reiterated their desire to see Israel suspended from UEFA competitions.
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