UEFA rejects Ireland request to avoid Israel in future draws
UEFA has rejected Ireland's request to be kept apart from Israel in future competition draws.
FAI chief executive David Courell confirmed the decision. He said European football's governing body would not add the fixture to its separation list BBC Sport.
The two nations were paired together in February's draw for the Nations League, UEFA's competition that groups national teams for competitive matches between major tournaments. They are due to meet twice in the coming weeks, on 27 September and 4 October.
Neither game will be played in the home country of either team. Ireland's home fixture on 4 October will take place behind closed doors, meaning no supporters in the ground, in Backa Topola, Serbia, rather than at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Israel's designated home game against Ireland will be held in Debrecen, Hungary, with no tickets made available for Irish fans.
Courell said UEFA explained its position in clear terms. Its 'do not draw' list, which stops certain nations meeting, is based on direct conflict between countries rather than public sentiment. Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict, so separation was not possible.
The ruling follows months of debate around the fixtures. The FAI had previously called formally for Israel to be removed from international football and banned from European competition. It was the only one of UEFA's 55 member associations to make that call.
In July, delegates at an extraordinary general meeting of the FAI backed the board's motion to go ahead with the games. The association has pointed to the risk of punishment, including possible disqualification, if the fixtures were not fulfilled.
The ties have already drawn protest. Ireland's friendly against Qatar in Dublin in May was disrupted when tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch. Former Ireland manager Brian Kerr and former player James McClean have supported the 'Stop The Game' campaign, which called for a boycott of the Israel matches.
For fans, this means two strange nights lie ahead. No Dublin crowd. No travelling support in Hungary. Just two teams meeting in neutral stadiums while the argument around them continues.
