Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell says Uefa rejected its request to keep the Republic of Ireland and Israel separate in future draws. The teams were grouped together in February and will meet in Nations League fixtures on 27 September and 4 October.

In June, the FAI confirmed its home game on 4 October would be played behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia, while no tickets will be available for Irish fans for Israel's 'home' fixture in Debrecen, Hungary. At an extraordinary general meeting in July, delegates backed an FAI motion to proceed amid concerns that boycotting would cause "significant and lasting harm" for the association.

Courell said Uefa rejected the request because "Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict." The decision has come under pressure amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with a 'Stop The Game' campaign launched by Irish Sport for Palestine calling for a boycott. BBC Sport NI has contacted Uefa for comment.

The 'Stop the Game' campaign has received support from former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr and ex-player James Mc Clean. Courell said he "appreciated" the "strength of sentiment" among the Irish public and noted the FAI previously called on Uefa to ban Israel from European competition.