Gavin Bazunu will not take the field when the Republic of Ireland meet Israel in Debrecen on Sunday night, after the goalkeeper withdrew from the Nations League fixture on grounds of personal conviction over the war in Gaza.
Key takeaways
- Bazunu confirmed on Instagram on Saturday that he will miss Ireland’s two forthcoming matches against Israel.
- The first fixture is scheduled for 20:45 on Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary.
- Ireland and Israel are due to meet again in Serbia on 4 October.
- The goalkeeper said his decision followed a serious discussion within the Irish squad before training.
- He stressed that his stance is not directed at Israeli people or the Jewish community.
A decision after squad discussions
The issue had already created discomfort around the Ireland camp, with calls in the country for the double-header to be cancelled. A lengthy exchange involving the players took place before a training session, before Bazunu’s absence was confirmed.
The goalkeeper said he retained “the greatest respect” for his team-mates, the manager, his staff and the Irish public, but felt unable to take part in either of the upcoming games.
Describing himself as a deeply religious man, Bazunu said he had considered the matter carefully and wanted to act with “character and principles”. He concluded that appearing against Israel would be wrong in the circumstances.
Bazunu explains his position
Bazunu said his choice came from a personal belief that the killing of innocent people is unjust, referring to the war in Palestine since the attacks of 7 October 2023.
He made clear that he was not taking a position against Israelis or against Jewish people. Instead, he said his objection concerned the atrocities being committed in the region.
For Bazunu, the two Nations League fixtures represent an unusual moment in which he believes he can speak out on an issue larger than football. Ireland’s match against Israel will go ahead in Hungary on Sunday, with the return meeting set for Serbia on 4 October.
