UEFA defends policy after rejecting Ireland’s request not to play Israel

UEFA on Saturday defended its approach to requests to prevent certain national teams being drawn together, saying each case is judged on its individual circumstances and that security factors are central to decisions. The statement came after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said it had asked UEFA to avoid future pairings with Israel following a February Nations League draw.

FAI chief executive David Courell told reporters the association had sought separation after the two teams were paired and was told UEFA would not agree to such an arrangement, with the reason given that Ireland and Israel have not been in direct conflict. The Nations League fixtures between the sides are due later this year, on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4.

The Israel Football Association (IFA) questioned whether the FAI’s account reflects a formal request to UEFA, with IFA head of communications Shlomi Barzel asking Reuters to direct the question to UEFA and saying the IFA was focusing on on-field preparations. UEFA reiterated that it monitors developments and evaluates requests carefully, taking into account ‘‘conditions between the two countries leading to structural risks for security.’

The fixtures have been contentious in Ireland amid the conflict in the Middle East. In November the FAI membership voted overwhelmingly for the board to ask UEFA to suspend the IFA from European competitions, and in May several prominent Irish players and celebrities backed a campaign calling for a boycott of Ireland’s home Nations League match. UEFA has relocated Ireland’s designated home game on Oct. 4 to Backa Topola in Serbia to be played behind closed doors, and Irish supporters will not receive tickets for Israel’s designated home fixture in Debrecen, Hungary the previous weekend.