Republic of Ireland players refused to take part in the traditional pre-match handshake with Israel and bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem before their UEFA Nations League meeting in Hungary on Sunday, several reports said.
The Ireland squad also wore black armbands for the game, a gesture the Football Association of Ireland chief executive described as being “in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict”, according to Al Jazeera. The match was played in Hungary, reporters said.
The fixture has been the focus of months of protest and calls for a boycott after Ireland and Israel were drawn together in Group B3. Pressure intensified from campaigners, including the group Irish Sport for Palestine and its “Stop The Game” drive, who urged Irish players not to participate, Punch and Al Jazeera reported.
After lengthy discussions at their hotel in Debrecen, the Ireland players voted to play the match, the outlets said. The Football Association of Ireland told Israel in advance the squad would not take part in the handshake routine, and UEFA accepted that arrangement, Al Jazeera reported.
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad ahead of the game. Bazunu posted a statement saying he felt “it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel”, Al Jazeera said. Punch reported Bazunu withdrew from both the Hungary match and the return fixture in Serbia on October 4.
Punch named Ireland captain Dara O’Shea and Israel captain Manor Solomon as not exchanging handshakes or pennants before kick-off. The match was staged at a neutral venue in Hungary, Punch reported, and Al Jazeera confirmed Hungary as the host country.
Al Jazeera reported that Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in the fixture. The outlet also said more than 160 Irish athletes had signed an open letter asking the FAI to reconsider playing the ties and that the campaign argued Israel should be held to account by UEFA and FIFA for playing on occupied Palestinian land.
Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson told reporters the controversy had made the week particularly challenging for him and his players, Punch added.
Featured image: NivAhronson via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Leave a comment