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RTÉ is set to limit its television coverage of the Republic of Ireland's upcoming Nations League games against Israel, with no studio coverage or commentators expected.
RTÉ is considering drastically limiting its television coverage of the Republic of Ireland's upcoming Nations League games with Israel. The 42 understands that a meeting between senior management at the national broadcaster took place on Thursday to discuss how to approach the fixtures, which have been the source of criticism and protests due to the ongoing devastation in Gaza.
While the State broadcaster will show the fixtures, it is understood they are unlikely to have any studio coverage and will not use commentators. The 42 has learned that RTÉ are unlikely to carry any studio coverage of the games on 27 September and 4 October. No presenter or punditry team will be used. It is also expected that only a world feed of the game provided by Uefa will be used without RTÉ commentators.
Ireland will play Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, in the first of their Nations League group games later this month. They will then meet again in Backa Topola, Serbia behind closed doors. The latter encounter was due to be Ireland's designated home fixture but it was announced on 12 June that it would be moved.
"This follows a decision taken by the FAI Board due to operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil," a statement from the association read. In August, the Irish Examiner reported details of a phone call between FAI chief executive David Courell and assistant secretary general and head of the sport division at the Department of Culture, Communications, and Sport, Cian Ó Lionáin, following a Freedom of Information request.
"FAI notes that the 'Stop the Game' campaign is building, that there are multiple ways in which to disrupt/protest the game, and that a security failure around October 4 would reflect badly on it and on the State," Ó Lionáin said following that conversation with Courell. "As such, it considers that it should not be left solely to the FAI to determine whether to proceed with a Dublin game vs Israel and that there would be input from/engagement with a number of State stakeholders.
" The 'Stop the Game' campaign has grown in prominence since a tennis ball protest disrupted Ireland's friendly game with Qatar in May. RTÉ's final decision is expected early next week.
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