On a tense Saturday before Ireland’s Nations League meeting with Israel, the usual pre-match rhythm was put on hold. Talks inside the squad led to a vote, and the players decided by a large majority that both scheduled fixtures against Israel would go ahead.
Ireland will face Israel on Sunday at 20:45 in Hungary after discussions involving the players, coaching staff and Football Association of Ireland officials. The pre-match press conference and training session had initially been postponed to allow those conversations to continue.
Quick facts
- Ireland will play both Nations League matches against Israel.
- The squad voted by a large majority to fulfil the fixtures.
- One player had considered leaving the camp because of discomfort over playing amid the war in Gaza.
- Ireland’s players will wear black armbands for victims of the conflict.
- Some planned pre-match ceremonies will not take place.
The issue arose after a player told the Ireland manager that he was uneasy about participating in the match and intended to withdraw from the squad. A vote was held during the final 90 minutes of discussions, with most of the group backing participation.
The federation said it had therefore decided, on behalf of Irish football, to keep the fixture in place and continue to respect the match calendar.
Ireland captain Dara O’Shea had already said, before the side’s 1-0 Nations League defeat away to Kosovo, that the players would meet on Friday to consider their response.
For Sunday’s match, Ireland will mark the human cost of the conflict by wearing black armbands. Elements of the usual pre-match protocol will also be cancelled.
