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

Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell says it had a request to keep the Republic of Ireland and Israel separate in future competition draws rejected by Uefa.

After being grouped together in February's draw, the Republic of Ireland and Israel are set to meet in Nations League fixtures on 27 September and 4 October.

In June, the FAI confirmed its home game on 4 October would be played behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia, as opposed to Dublin's Aviva Stadium, while no tickets will be made available for Irish fans for Israel's 'home' fixture in Debrecen, Hungary.

At an extraordinary general meeting in July, delegates backed an FAI motion to proceed with the games amid concerns that boycotting would cause "significant and lasting harm" for the association.

However, the decision to fulfil the fixtures has come under increasing pressure amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with a 'Stop The Game' campaign launched by Irish Sport for Palestine calling for a boycott.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Courell said European football's governing body Uefa rejected the association's request about future draws, which was made after the teams were drawn together in February.

"The response was pretty clear. They [Uefa] have a formal term for it, I can't remember the formal term, the 'do not draw' list or whatever. It's based, really, on conflicts, direct conflicts, not public sentiment," said, external Courell.

"The answer I got was very clear. That would not be possible, because Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict. That was an answer that I took at face value."

BBC Sport NI has contacted Uefa for comment.

The 'Stop the Game' campaign has received support from former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr and ex-player James McClean, and May's friendly against Qatar in Dublin was disrupted when tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch.

Speaking to RTE, Courell said he "appreciated" the "strength of sentiment" among the Irish public regarding the games and pointing out that the FAI previously called on Uefa to ban Israel from European competition.

"We wish we weren't in this position. We have publicly called for, and formally called for, Israel's removal from international football," he said.

"We were the only federation in Uefa, so one out of 55 that has done so formally. But at an institutional level, that hasn't happened yet.

"As such, the decision rested with the FAI and we wanted particularly now to offer our spport and protection to the players because it's a decision that rested with the FAI board."

He added: "We have spoken to Uefa extensively over the last year, yes. And their response? It's the same as it has been for some time. They recognise the strength of conviction from the FAI on this topic and how that reflects the solidarity the Irish people have of the Palestinian plight.

"But equally they have to consider the sentiment of 54 other nations. And unfortunately, at this moment in time, it's not universal."

The armed Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive in Gaza. The United Nations believes the retaliation has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians.

Israel has regularly denied committing genocide or war crimes and has said its actions in Gaza have been justified as a means of self-defence.