The Republic of Ireland will fulfil its two Nations League fixtures against Israel after a majority of the squad voted to play, the Football Association of Ireland said Saturday, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the matches.
FAI chief executive David Courell said a “significant majority” supported continuing with the fixtures. The decision followed talks among players, staff and the association that delayed a scheduled press conference and training session in Debrecen, Hungary.
The first match is scheduled for Sunday at a neutral venue in Debrecen. Ireland’s designated home fixture on October 4 has been moved from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Backa Topola, Serbia, following concerns about security and disruption.
Bazunu subsequently explained his decision in a statement on Instagram. The goalkeeper said he believed it would be wrong to participate and that his position reflected his opposition to the killing of innocent people in the war in Gaza.
Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had confirmed at the delayed press conference that one player had withdrawn after saying he did not want to face Israel. He described a difficult situation for the squad and said there was no course of action that would satisfy everyone.
The FAI said it respected the different views expressed by the players and acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding the fixtures. It confirmed that both matches would be played following its consultation with the squad.
Courell also outlined measures the players intend to take. They plan to wear black armbands in recognition of lives lost in the conflict, and profits from Ireland’s October 1 home match against Austria are to be donated to charity.
The players will not undertake media duties around Sunday’s match, the Austria game or the second meeting with Israel, according to Courell. Ireland therefore enters the remainder of the international window with changes to both its squad and its public appearances.
The Israeli football association welcomed the decision to fulfil the fixtures and argued that football and politics should remain separate. In Ireland, campaigners and supporters’ groups had called for the matches to be boycotted.
Bazunu’s withdrawal leaves the rest of the squad preparing to play under the association’s confirmed decision.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with RTÉ.
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