Photo via BBC Sport

Uefa rejected request to keep Republic of Ireland and Israel separate - FAI

Uefa has turned down an appeal by the Football Association of Ireland to prevent the Republic of Ireland and Israel from being paired together in future tournament lotteries, according to FAI chief executive David Courell. The governing body explained that its restricted-draw policy applies solely to nations locked in direct war, leaving the FAI with no regulatory basis for separation despite being the lone member among 55 European associations to push for Israel's complete suspension.

Consequently, their Nations League matchups will proceed on neutral soil: Israel's designated home fixture takes place without Irish ticket-holders on 27 September in Debrecen, Hungary, while Ireland's hosting duty shifts from Dublin's Aviva Stadium to a fan-free environment in Backa Topola, Serbia, on 4 October.

Irish football officials voted during an extraordinary July assembly to honour the dates to avoid severe institutional penalties, yet external pushback has intensified. The activist group Irish Sport for Palestine has spearheaded the 'Stop the Game' boycott initiative, securing backing from former national squad boss Brian Kerr as well as past international James McClean.

Public unrest surrounding the fixtures had already surfaced earlier this year when protesters interrupted a May exhibition against Qatar in Dublin by hurling tennis balls onto the turf.