Neutral venues and no 'away' fans - how Israel v Republic of Ireland became so contentious

An elite-level European football match will be played on Sunday at a neutral stadium, with no 'away' fans, and reduced television coverage.

That the match is even taking place had been in doubt - one side had to vote on a motion confirming whether or not they would participate amid significant opposition from fans, pundits and politicians.

But the vote confirmed the fixture would go ahead, and now the Republic of Ireland will travel to Debrecen, Hungary, for a Uefa Nations League 'away' match against Israel, played against a backdrop of ongoing and increasingly volatile disagreement between the two countries about Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

And on 4 October, the Republic of Ireland will face the same opponents in a 'home' match in Backa Topola - a small town in Serbia.

No tickets have been sold to Irish fans for either fixture, and Irish public broadcaster RTE will air a stripped-back version of match coverage, with no commentators, pundits, or half-time analysis.

So how did a Uefa Nations League match become one of the most contentious fixtures in football?

Venue changes have not quietened protests

As soon as the Republic of Ireland were placed with Israel - plus Austria and Kosovo - at the Nations League draw in February, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) faced calls from some to boycott the matches because of Israel's military action in Gaza.

In May a friendly match the Republic of Ireland played against Qatar in Dublin was twice interrupted after fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch featuring the Palestinian flag.

The FAI eventually took a vote of its delegates in July, in which 75 members voted to play the matches and 32 voted to boycott.

Not playing the matches could have harmed Irish football in the long-run, the FAI said, amid the possibility of Uefa sanctions for refusing to fulfil the fixtures and the potential loss of millions of euros in income.

As well as curtailing its coverage, RTE will not take advertising or sponsorship income from the matches, saying it will only "meet its contractual obligations" to broadcast the fixtures.

No tickets are being sold to Irish fans for either the 'home' or 'away' matches, with a small allocation available for Israeli fans for the first fixture, which has been the case at multiple previous Israel home games held in Hungary.

Hungary has been deemed a suitable host nation for Israel matches because the two nations enjoy stronger diplomatic ties than those between Israel and many other European nations, and it has been willing to provide the necessary policing and security arrangements for matches to operate smoothly.

The FAI decided in the summer to play its 'home' fixture against Israel at a neutral stadium, citing "operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil".

Reports have claimed the FAI was concerned protests could prevent the match from taking place in Dublin.

The FAI gave no official reason for the selection of Backa Topola, but choosing a venue in Serbia - in a town so remote - in theory renders security management easier and reduces the possibility of protest.

In 2025, Serbian foreign minister Marko Duric described Israel as one of Serbia's "closest friends and strategic partners". Serbia has also purchased military equipment, including drones and missiles, from Israel in recent years.

The decision to play in neutral stadiums has not curtailed opposition.

Fans of various Irish clubs have demonstrated against the matches during domestic fixtures in recent weeks, and on Monday more than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter by the Irish Sport for Palestine group urging a boycott. The signatories include boxer Tyrone McKenna and former European champion athlete Ciara Mageean.

FAI CEO David Courrell said last week Uefa had rejected a request for the teams to be kept apart in future draws, director of football John Martin described the games as a "very uncomfortable situation for everyone". Manager Heimer Hallgrimsson, meanwhile, said playing the match did not constitute legitimisation of Israel's "genocide".

"We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide," Hallgrimmson said. "We're playing against Israel, we're not playing with Israel."

In response, the Israel Football Association accused Hallgrimsson of "ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity".

The Republic of Ireland faced Israel in Women's EuroBasket qualifiers last autumn and earlier this year after "extensive deliberations".