In Debrecen, far from both teams’ usual footballing homes, Ireland’s players used the formalities around their match with Israel to register their opposition to the war in Gaza.
As the Israeli anthem was played, the Irish squad stood with their heads lowered. Their protest also extended to the pre-match rituals: there was no greeting exchanged with the Israeli players and the teams did not trade pennants.
The gestures brought a political gravity to an occasion staged in Hungary, underlining how the conflict in Gaza continues to reach into international football gatherings well beyond the region itself.
