Scotland Women to Face Israel in Closed-Door World Cup Qualifiers in Hungary After UEFA Security Ruling

Scotland's women's national team will play its two World Cup qualifying matches against Israel behind closed doors at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest after UEFA ruled that no matches can be held in Israel for security reasons. The first match is scheduled for Friday.

The Scottish FA stated that the decision to play both matches at a neutral venue was in line with the other teams in Group B4 and that refusing to play would mean forfeiting the points.

Midfielder Christy Grimshaw said the squad has not discussed boycotting the matches. "Honestly, no," she replied when asked on Tuesday if not playing had been discussed. "we have to let the people who are in charge of these situations - the governing bodies who decide these things - decide," Grimshaw said.

" "Is it the best circumstances surrounding it? Of course not, because we are aware of everything else that's going on and we feel for that as humans," she added. "However, right now we have to adapt to the situation and play football.

Grimshaw has been recalled to the Scotland squad following a two-year absence after recovering from a knee injury. She plays for AC Milan and has 16 caps for Scotland. " "But it's a long time I've been out and, when the national team calls, as a footballer I would never say no to my national team," she added.

Grimshaw said it is "not ideal" that she could be adding to her caps in an empty stadium. "We'd love to be playing in Scotland, but we just have to play the role we've been given and that's to perform and adapt in the best way we can," she said. "We're human, we are aware, but we can't change it.

Scotland go into the matches top of Group B4 on goal difference from Belgium, who play their double-header against Luxembourg. The Football Association of Ireland is facing a motion backed by the Irish PFA that could force its men's team to pull out of Nations League fixtures against Israel later this year.