FAI chief executive David Courell has spoken at length about the UEFA Nations League draw that paired Ireland with Israel, outlining security measures and charitable donation plans
Ireland is set to host Israel in Dublin on 4th October, with the aim of being as “sympathetic” as possible to the sentiments within Ireland regarding the conflict in Gaza. David Courell, CEO of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), confirmed that a portion of the ticket sales for the match would be donated to a charity aiding humanitarian efforts in Palestine.
Courell faced extensive questioning about the UEFA Nations League draw that put Ireland and Israel in the same group. Nearly two weeks after the draw, he made his first comments on the issues raised by the pairing of the two nations, stating that away fans are not expected to travel to Dublin for the game at Aviva Stadium.
He highlighted the crucial role of the Gardaí in ensuring security around the fixture and addressed potential protests and any concerns FAI staff might have about the matches. Despite repeated requests for his personal stance on the situation, Courell refrained from sharing his views, asserting: “I am a football administrator, I am not a politician.”
He continued, “I am here in my capacity as CEO of the federation, and it’s incumbent on me to look at everything through the lens of football and what’s right for the interest of the Irish game, and as such I don’t think my opinion counts.”
He added, “I’m sure everybody has an opinion on this, but my personal views on this situation do not come into the decision-making process,” reports the Irish Mirror.
Security
“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,” Courell stated.
“And as such, we are working on the firm basis that the game will be hosted here in the Aviva Stadium.”
Protests.
Demonstrations are expected both within and around the Aviva Stadium on match day.
Courell commented: “We fully understand the depth of sentiment on this topic. We’ve made the decision to fulfil these games.
“With that said, we want to approach it in as sympathetic a manner as possible to make sure that, just like the Norwegian federation did quite well, I think it’s fair to say.
“They took what could have been a very challenging environment and created it into an opportunity for people to have their voices heard in a respectful and safe environment.
“That is absolutely our intent. How we execute that, how we manifest that, is something we’ll have to work through, not only with An Garda Síochána but also with UEFA.
“But it is our intent to try and approach this in light of the depth of sentiment in the country.
“Our desire to fulfil the games doesn’t mean that we can’t still allow our stakeholders to have their voices heard.”
Away fans
The FAI has been informed that no supporters will be travelling from Israel for the Dublin fixture, though this doesn’t rule out the presence of away supporters at the Aviva Stadium. Courell referenced the September fixture in Oslo, which went ahead despite significant calls for a boycott and demonstrations both in the city and at the venue.
“There was no travelling fans in Norway. The indication from Israel is there will be no travelling fans coming to Ireland,” said Courell.
“However, there were 600 to 1,000 Israeli supporters in the ground (in Oslo). They would have been made up of domestic supporters, be that from the different community groups locally.
“They were facilitated and were able to support their team, as they should, in a safe and secure environment.”
Charitable donation
Courell has committed to mirroring the Norwegian approach by pledging proceeds from the Israel home fixture to a Gaza-focused charity.
Norway welcomed Israel last September for a World Cup qualifying match and directed ticket revenue towards Doctors Without Borders.
Courell characterised this as being part of efforts to “approach this in as sympathetic a manner as we can.”
He continued: “That’s 100 percent within our intent. The manner and mechanism of how we do that is yet to be established. Who the recipient, charitable foundation might be, etcetera, we’ve yet to establish.
“But it is absolutely something that we are working towards.”
Renewed boycott pressure
The choice to proceed with the fixtures is likely to frustrate many in Irish football circles, especially given that 93 percent of the FAI’s General Assembly backed suspending Israel from international competition last November. Whilst Courell acknowledged that the Association’s leadership “heard our GA loud and clear,” he went on to say: “Whether or not we fulfil these fixtures is a decision for the board and the executive.”
He continued: “That is, within the constitution, our obligation, our role. And as such, that decision has been taken.”
He stated: “We are very happy to hear further from our General Assembly on their viewpoints. However, the decision has been taken.”
Staff welfare
SIPTU issued a statement soon after the draw expressing worries about the wellbeing of its members working for the FAI.
According to Courell, though, nobody within the organisation had indicated any unwillingness or hesitation to carry out their responsibilities surrounding the match.
He said: “If there are individuals that have a different viewpoint, then of course we’ll engage with them and try and understand how we can accommodate any concerns they may have.”
Potential penalties
The FAI set out in correspondence to the General Assembly, dispatched on Tuesday evening, the “tangible” penalties that UEFA might impose on the FAI.
These encompass the loss of six points, demotion to League C, and damage to Ireland’s Euro 2028 seedings and overall FIFA standings.
He warned that there was “every potential that there will be greater ramifications for Irish football – reputational, financial, operational.
“The reality is, we’re talking solely in the lane of the men’s national team here. But if we fail to qualify for Euro ’28, you know the financial benefit that can bring for the association and the benefit it will bring to the grassroots game and every aspect of what we do.
“So there is a big range of implications that extend beyond what we’ve included in that letter.
“But we don’t even need to go there. From a sporting perspective, it’s not within the interest of Irish football not to fulfil these games. We are fulfilling the games.”
The FAI are operating under the assumption that the away match will be held on neutral ground, despite the Israeli FA’s wish to reintroduce international football to Tel Aviv.
“As things stand, and UEFA reconfirmed this, the position is very clear from UEFA that there is no ability for Israel to host home games at this moment in time,” he said.
“So until that position changes, I’m not really in a position to comment on whether or not the game is in Tel Aviv. Right now we’re working on the assumption it’s not.”
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.