Legal letters sent to FAI and Irish government over staging of Israel game

A decision has been made...

The statement comes after yesterday's news that the FAI are set to move Ireland's controversial Nations League fixture against Israel to a neutral venue.

The match, scheduled the 4th of October, will switch from the Aviva Stadium to a neutral venue, upon UEFA approval.

The FAI board of directors held a meeting last Friday to discuss the Israel fixtures, with an onus on the Dublin game. A second meeting was held yesterday where they reached this decision.

In response, Stop The Game, which has been a prevalent protestor group against the Israel fixture, have released a statement.

The press release threatens to seek judicial review: "Stop The Game Campaign has issued a pre-action letter for judicial review to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), Sport Ireland the Minister for Sport and the Minister for Justice.

"The Pre-action puts the Ministers, Sport Ireland, and the FAI on notice over their various legal obligations that arise from the decision to allow the games to proceed.

"The legal correspondence asserts that the FAI and Sport Ireland must undertake their own due diligence to ensure that the spending of public funds complies with their domestic human rights obligations.

"Separately, the letter asserts that the Minister for Justice must ensure that the necessary steps are taken to both investigate and refuse entry to any person that may have committed offences under the Geneva Conventions.

"The FAI, Sport Ireland and the Ministers have been asked to provide a substantial response within 21 days or the campaign will seek a full judicial review.

"The FAI and the Irish government need to respect the call to boycott the game made by the majority of players, fans and communities across Ireland.

"Ireland should not play against Israel. Doing so legitimises a genocidal regime and gives cover for statute violations, Israeli apartheid and war crimes."