Ireland players proceed with Israel fixtures amid boycott campaign

Republic of Ireland players voted to proceed with their UEFA Nations League games against Israel despite calls for a boycott over the war in Gaza, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from both fixtures.

The squad held extended talks before the first match, delaying a scheduled news conference and training session. Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said a “significant majority” voted to play; widespread reports put the vote at 14-8, excluding Bazunu, who had already left the squad.

Ireland then defeated Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary. Irish players wore black armbands and refrained from shaking hands with their Israeli counterparts before the match, according to reports from the BBC, Sky News and AP.

Opposition to the fixtures continued during Ireland’s subsequent game against Austria. Protesters threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags onto the field, prompting a four-minute stoppage, while a pitch invader carrying a Palestinian flag was stopped by stewards, Al Jazeera reported. Demonstrations were also held outside the stadium.

Campaign groups, including Irish Sport for Palestine’s “Stop the Game” initiative, have urged Ireland to boycott the return match against Israel. That fixture is scheduled to be played behind closed doors at a neutral venue in Backa Topola, Serbia. The FAI previously said it moved the game for “operational reasons.”