RTÉ explains decision for reduced coverage of Republic of Ireland v Israel in Nations League

The Republic of Ireland vs Israel in the Nations League will have reduced coverage with the national broadcaster with the build-up making it one of the world’s most controversial fixtures. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side are in Debrecen, Hungary for their away game against Israel before a home game in Serbia next Sunday. After calls to boycott both fixtures against a country found by the United Nations independent international commission of committing genocide in Gaza, the game will go ahead, though goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew , citing opposition “against the atrocities in the region.” And Irish national public service broadcaster RTÉ has taken steps to alter its usual coverage of the national team. A statement from the broadcaster read: “RTÉ will meet its contractual obligations to broadcast the two Uefa Nations League fixtures between Ireland and Israel. The broadcast arrangement for the two games will be as follows: There will be no studio presentation Commentary will be taken from the international feed and will not be provided by an RTÉ commentator There will be no studio punditry A minimal technical team will be deployed by RTÉ RTÉ has not taken advertising or sponsorship around either game There will be news coverage of the games and the wider events surrounding them “These arrangement reflect RTÉ’S decision to fulfil its contractual broadcasting obligations while limiting the additional production and commercial activity associated with the fixtures.”