Near-empty stadium, no handshake, no explanation: RTÉ broadcasts Uefa feed of Israel game
RTÉ broadcast the Ireland vs. Israel football match using a direct UEFA feed without studio commentary or advertising. The decision followed internal controversy and union support for staff who wished to object to the fixture.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of international sports, geopolitical conflict, and the editorial independence of national broadcasters.
An editorial note re: The Journal and The 42’s reporting on the Uefa Nations League matches between Ireland and Israel is available to read here.
RTÉ’S BROADCAST OF the Ireland v Israel football match in Hungary this evening began without any introduction or continuity announcement about the controversy surrounding the match.
The 42 first reported on 11 September that RTÉ would be significantly curtailing its coverage of the match and would not be using its own employees on screen.
RTÉ subsequently confirmed that there would be no studio punditry and no RTÉ commentary of the game, with the commentary instead provided by Uefa’s global coverage.
While these decisions were reported in advance of the game, they were not aired before or during the broadcast.
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