Republic of Ireland and Israel will not swap shirts; second Nations League game behind closed doors

The Republic of Ireland and Israel have agreed that players will not exchange shirts after their upcoming Nations League meetings, and there will be no handshakes between the teams' coaching staffs, the federations say.

Two fixtures are scheduled: the first on 27 September and the return on 4 October. The opening match will be staged in Debrecen, Hungary; the second will take place in Bačka Topola, Serbia and will be played behind closed doors.

Reduced media coverage and tense relations

Relations between the two football associations have become strained in recent days, and the decision to suspend customary gestures of sportsmanship is part of a wider effort to limit contact. Team officials expect that the two managers will not greet each other at the final whistle.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has announced minimal media coverage of the ties: a live feed of the matches without studio programming or additional post-game analysis. Organizers have also said that no shirt-swapping will be permitted between players.

Both federations have framed the measures as security and protocol decisions ahead of two closely scheduled Nations League fixtures. The matches will proceed as planned on the announced dates and at the designated venues.

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