Ireland’s home game against Israel to be played in Serbia

The FAI have announced that the Republic of Ireland’s home Nations League fixture against Israel will be played behind closed doors in Serbia on Sunday, October 4.

The match will be played at the 4,500-capacity TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, home to Serbian first division side FC TSC.

“This follows a decision taken by the FAI Board to move the fixture to a neutral territory due to operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil,” said the FAI in a statement.

The development comes weeks after the FAI confirmed that the game would be moved overseas to a neutral venue, with RTE reporting at the time it was ‘very likely’ to be played in Hungary.

It has not been revealed how Serbia was chosen as the venue. UEFA previously announced that Israel’s ‘home’ game will take place in Hungary on September 27.

The decision to fulfil away fixtures and the designated home match against the Israelis on October 4 has generated opposition and protest.

Chief Operating Officer of Bohemians FC and member of the Stop the Game campaign, Daniel Lambert, previously told Hot Press that the decision to play Ireland’s Nations League fixture overseas was “total hypocrisy".

“I think it is unfair… [the players have] been let down, they’ve been let down by the FAI, and this shouldn’t be a decision that they have to make,” Lambert said. “My interpretation is they want the decision taken away from them.

“Israel is practising apartheid. The Irish government’s position is that Israel is practising apartheid. We are going to ignore that, but we are going to adhere to the rules of this competition. It’s total nonsense. It’s a ludicrous position to take.”

The association said they plan to update season ticket holders and Club Ireland members regarding compensation owed.