Ireland's Nations League home game vs Israel moved to Serbia

The Republic of Ireland's designated home UEFA Nations League match against Israel will be played behind closed doors at a neutral venue in Serbia on October 4, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed on Monday. The fixture will take place at the 4,500-capacity TSC Arena in Bačka Topola.

This follows a decision by the FAI board earlier in June to relocate the match from Dublin's Aviva Stadium to a neutral territory. In a statement, the association cited operational challenges that could impact the delivery of the game on home soil. The change of venue has been approved by European football's governing body, UEFA. A kickoff time for the match is to be confirmed.

The announcement finalizes the venue for the second of two matches between the nations this autumn, both of which have been scheduled for neutral locations amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The first encounter, Israel's designated home match, will be played at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, on September 27. That stadium has regularly hosted Israeli national team matches since 2023.

The fixtures have generated opposition and protests in Ireland, including demonstrations during a recent friendly match...