The Republic of Ireland will host Israel at the Aviva Stadium in the Nations League tie on October 4th.
David Courell, the FAI chief executive, confirmed the decision after security concerns around hosting the fixture were allayed by An Garda Síochána.
“An Garda Síochána have been very clear that they are confident that they can deliver a safe and secure environment for this game to proceed,” said Courell. “The Garda have a strong track record of delivering very successful hosting of games here in the Aviva, but also for key and high-risk games, such as Europa League final.
“If they maintain that they can deliver [the game] in a safe and secure manner, then who am I to challenge that?”
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Israel have played their ‘home’ matches in Hungary since November 2023 while in September 2024 Belgium switched a Nations League game from Brussels to Debrecen in Hungary, citing security concerns.
“From a footballing perspective, a decision not to play would have serious consequences” said Paul Cooke, the FAI president, in a letter to General Assembly members. “It would result in the forfeiture of six points, could lead to relegation to League C of the Nations League, and would damage our seeding for Euro 2028 qualification as well as our overall FIFA ranking. Such outcomes would materially harm the long-term sporting interests of Irish football.
“Our decision is not financially motivated. However, there would also be significant financial and regulatory consequences were we to refuse to fulfil the fixtures. The board cannot act in a manner that would place the Association or its directors in breach of their legal duties or expose the FAI to severe sporting, financial and reputational sanctions.”
On John Martin’s involvement in a deal he negotiated with the agent of Shamrock Rovers’ teenage striker Michael Noonan, while Martin was chief executive of the club, Courell backed the FAI’s new director of football.
Noonan’s mother Sandie reported the arrangement to the English FA, where the teenager’s agent David Moss is registered, and Fifa are also investigating if the contract breached their rules on third-party ownership of a player.
“The association is aware of the potential issue,” said Courell. “Do we, the FAI, have any concerns about John Martin’s role in that? All I can do is evaluate John based on his time with the association as an employee, which he’s been with us since September.
“He has landed unbelievably well. He demonstrates fantastic leadership skills, his understanding of the landscape, his stakeholder management skills, his vision for the Irish game are all really strong.
“Obviously, I’ve had conversations with John on this topic. I and the board are understanding and supportive of John’s position that anything he did was in good faith. As things stand, we’re comfortable with the position and we’re satisfied.”
Courell also confirmed that Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan has frozen Government funding for artificial pitches following the damage caused by flares ahead of last Friday’s Louth derby between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park. A 12-year-old supporter sustained burns to his face after being struck by a flare thrown in the stand.
The cost is expected to be around €70,000 with Drogheda facing a disciplinary process on Thursday night.
“First and foremost, our thoughts go to the young lad that was impacted on Friday night. Thankfully, and fortunately, there’s no lasting damage is what I understand from the club.”
On whether O’Donovan’s comments and the pause of funding was an overreaction, Courell added: “I’m not here to critique the Minister’s position. That’s his prerogative. What I can say is I feel his intention of bringing focus on this matter is justified. The actions on Friday were not appropriate. The scenes were unacceptable, quite frankly.”
