Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
535. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has concerns regarding the planned Ireland v Israel Nations League fixtures; the engagement his Department has had with the FAI on the fixtures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17205/26]
View answerNational Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), including the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures. The Government has no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures. Instead, the international federations, in this case, UEFA, have a leadership role for their global games, and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ NGBs.
The FAI has decided to play the fixtures against Israel in the UEFA Nations League this Autumn, in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA, and having consulted with An Garda Síochána and other key stakeholders. The FAI briefed Minister O'Donovan and me on this matter last week and it advised that it will be engaging with the Norwegian Football Association to learn from its hosting of a match against Israel last year. The FAI also advised that it has engaged with the Israeli Football Association, which does not expect a significant number of Israeli fans to travel to Ireland for the fixture.
I support its decision of the FAI to fulfil these fixtures in the context of its obligations as a member of UEFA and in enabling our athletes to compete at the highest level of International competition.
On a wider note, I want to reiterate that Ireland supports ongoing efforts to implement the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict. All parties must adhere to their commitments in full, desist from any actions inconsistent with what has been agreed, and continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure full implementation.
