The FAI have taken the decision to move the UEFA Nations League home qualifier against Israel out of Dublin - now they need UEFA’s approval as Dail Eireann prepares to debate the most controversial fixture in Irish football history.
RTE’s Tony O’Donoghue broke the news on Monday afternoon that the FAI Board have finally accepted that they cannot host the ‘home’ fixture against the Israelis with Budapest now the likely venue for the clash pending a green light from UEFA.
RTE also reports that Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has claimed that moving the game out of Ireland is not enough as the Irish parliament prepares to debate her party’s motion on Tuesday which calls on the FAI to boycott the game.
The FAI have yet to confirm the switch but did issue a statement on Monday evening in light of the RTE story and the subsequent media enquiries.
O’Donoghue’s story suggests that the game on October 4th will switch from the Aviva Stadium to a neutral ground, pending UEFA approval, with a venue in Hungary considered a likely alternative.
It goes on to say that the FAI Board met last Friday while a second meeting was held this afternoon where a decision was reached.
The FAI said later on Monday that it would not release any statement on any decision on the matter until after a board meeting scheduled for Thursday as they want to keep the focus on the FIFA Women’s World Cup make or break qualifier play in France on Tuesday night.
The FAI also said it is the responsibility of the Board of the FAI to protect the future interests of football in Ireland and that any decision around the israel game is ‘solely a matter for the Association’.
Speaking ahead of the Dail debate on Tuesday,Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “Our motion supports the Stop the Game campaign - the call is quite clear for the game not to proceed in Ireland or anywhere.
“There is no support for our national team to play, under our tricolour, against Israel while there is a genocide ongoing.”
Ireland manager Carla Ward has outlined the opportunity that awaits her players in Grenoble tonight when victory against a top French side will send the Republic to a second straight World Cup finals.
The late, late win against the Netherlands in Cork last Friday night means Ireland are now one win away from automatic qualification for next summer’s year’s in Brazil.
With a play-off already secured, Ireland will give it a right go against the fourth ranked team in the world in France tonight and Ward insists her players should be proud of their campaign to date.
The Irish Examiner’s John Fallon reports from her pre-match press conference when she said: “First of all, no matter what happens tomorrow night, this group can be incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far.
“That is number one and it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the actual development of the group. Of course, we want to go and win this game, we wanted to win the game the other night and we made sure we did.
“How big would this be? I think you would all agree it would be one of the biggest sporting stories in world football. That’s because no fourth ranked team stays in League A, let alone wins two games and then wins three games and then wins the group.
“We’ve already written our own records, and this would be the biggest one, no doubt about it.”
Roy Keane will quit his Cheshire home for Australia if England win the World Cup for the first time in 60 years this summer according to a story in the Irish Sun.
The paper quotes Keane talking to a Sky Bet podcast about England’s World Cup chances and his response to a question from Micah Richards about that he would do if Thomas Tuchel’s side win the tournament.
The Corkman said: “I don’t want England winning it! But obviously, when we’re working over there, and you’re ITV, you want them to do well.
“And you know they’re gonna through the knockout games, and when they’re getting through, there’s a bit of excitement. And that’s when I start to get worried, when it’s semis and finals.”
Asked by fellow pundit Richards if he’d be happy if England won the competition, Keane declared: “No, I’d be emigrating to Australia.”
Wolves Technical Director Matt Jackson has paid tribute to Matt Doherty’s time with the club after confirmation that he has been released on a free transfer after 13 years at Molineux, over two spells.
The Dubliner played almost 400 games for Wolves and the Irish Mirror reports on Jackson’s praise for the Ireland defender.
“It’s rare to get actual ‘club men’ in the modern game, but Doc is definitely a Wolverhampton Wanderers man, through and through,” said Jackson.
“He’s been absolutely exceptional throughout the 13 years he’s spent at the club, both on the pitch and with the leadership he displays off it.”
Galway United have been forced to move their Premier Division game with Dundalk on Friday night to Turner’s Cross in Cork as Eamonn Deacy Park is closed for pitch renovations and their temporary home at the Pearse Stadium GAA venue isn’t available due to an All-Ireland football championship fixture.
The Dundalk game will now be played on Leeside but upcoming fixtures against Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Waterford will go ahead at Pearse Stadium as planner.
