RTÉ confirms it will broadcast Republic of Ireland-Israel games
Dominique Farrell
RTÉ has confirmed it will broadcast the Republic of Ireland's Nations League games against Israel, should the ties proceed.
The national broadcaster released a statement early this afternoon saying it would be screening all six of Ireland's Nations League ties "in line with its contractual obligations and commitment to supporting Ireland's national teams".
Heimir Hallgrimsson's side were drawn in the same League B group as Israel, alongside Austria and Kosovo, at yesterday's draw in Belgium, the FAI confirming swiftly afterwards that they would fulfil both fixtures against Israel.
Last November, the FAI voted to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from its European club and international competitions.
RTÉ issued a statement saying it was committed to showing all of Ireland's Nations League games.
In September, the national broadcaster had taken the decision to withdraw from this year's Eurovision Song Contest due to concerns over Israel's participation in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
However, it stressed the distinction between the scenarios, given that it is national public service broadcasters who are in charge of the selection process for the contest, whereas the matter of whether Ireland play Israel is one for the relevant football associations.
"If the match goes ahead - and that is a decision for the FAI as the relevant national sporting body - RTÉ will broadcast it in line with its contractual obligations and commitment to supporting Ireland's national teams," read the statement.
"To explain, decisions regarding participation by Ireland's national soccer team in any tournament are the responsibility of the appropriate official national sporting body - in this case the FAI. Decisions relating to the broadcast of these events are dependent on such decisions.
"RTÉ's decision in this case is different to RTÉ's decision regarding the Eurovision Song Contest, which is owned and run by the EBU, for one main reason. It is national public service broadcasters/media who operate the selection process to decide which song/artist will represent their country in the contest.
"In Ireland, the responsibility falls to RTÉ as Ireland's national public service media, and a member of the EBU. The decision regarding Ireland's participation in any football match is one for the FAI, not RTÉ."
RTÉ News.