The war situation in the Middle East has caused a lot of trouble for the Israeli national team, which has become unwelcome in many European countries. In fact, it would have been impossible for it to find a friendly match for June if it were not for Albania, which agreed to play with it, moreover with fans in Tirana.

But that's not how they think in other countries, and for months, sporting opinion in Ireland has come out against hosting Nations League matches with it. Fans have spoken out against it and have called for Ireland to boycott matches with the Israelis.

But the Federation ultimately found an unusual way to play the match, even getting the approval of UEFA, which actually threatened that if it did not show up, it would face numerous sanctions.

The Irish Football Association announced today that it had received the OK from UEFA to play the October 4 Nations League match between the two teams at a neutral venue behind closed doors, even though the Irish would be considered the hosts. This way, it would not face pressure from its own fans or risk a possible UEFA suspension if it refused to play Israel.

Both teams are in the same Nations League group with Kosovo and Austria. We recall that the Federation of Ireland is one of those who have requested the exclusion of Israel from UEFA as long as the conflict in the Middle East and the attacks on the Gaza Strip continue.