Ireland Soccer Players Again Wear Black Armbands Before Israel Match
Indiadailyupdate.com – BACKA TOPOLA, Serbia — Ireland soccer players again wear black armbands and declined customary handshakes before their Nations League match against Israel on Sunday, continuing a protest gesture seen in the teams’ previous meeting.
During the Israeli anthem, Ireland’s players lowered their heads. Israel’s squad also wore black armbands in remembrance of those killed in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Captain Kelleher Avoids Handshake
Goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher captained Ireland in the absence of Dara O’Shea, who left the squad to be with his wife for the birth of their child. Kelleher greeted the referee and an assistant referee but did not shake hands with Israel captain Dor Peretz.
In the first match between the sides in Debrecen, Hungary, Ireland won 3-0 after scoring three first-half goals. O’Shea, then Ireland’s captain, also chose not to shake hands with Israel captain Manor Solomon.
Ireland soccer players again wear black armbands amid intense public discussion in Ireland over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the country’s participation in the fixtures. The Football Association of Ireland moved the return match from Dublin to a neutral venue in June, citing “operational reasons,” and confirmed it would be played behind closed doors.
Players Chose to Fulfil Fixtures
The FAI passed a motion in November calling on UEFA to suspend Israel from club and international competitions. Despite pressure around the matches, Ireland’s squad decided to play after lengthy discussions before the opening fixture.
Reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was the only Ireland player to withdraw from both games. He explained his decision by referring to a personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.
“Personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.”
Ireland’s training session and press conference before the first game were delayed while players considered their position. The squad was reported to have voted 14-8 in favour of playing after Bazunu withdrew on the morning of the match.
Changes and Further Tension
Israel made changes from its previous Nations League match. Solomon, who captained the side against Ireland in Hungary, started Sunday’s game among the substitutes, while forward Sayed Abu Farchi returned after serving a suspension.
Abu Farchi had been sent off after celebrating a goal in Israel’s 3-1 defeat to Austria on Sept. 25. Ireland midfielder Finn Azaz, whose mother has Israeli heritage, was also among the substitutes after starting Ireland’s 2-2 draw with Austria on Thursday.
That Austria match was disrupted by demonstrations, with tennis balls carrying Palestinian flags thrown onto the pitch and a man carrying a Palestinian flag attempting to enter the field of play.
At Israel’s pre-match press conference on Saturday, an Israeli journalist alleged that Irish players had used the word “monkeys” toward Israeli opponents in Hungary. Ireland communications officer Kieran Crowley rejected the allegation as “a lie” before ending the press conference.
FAQ: Ireland’s Match Against Israel
Why did Ireland soccer players again wear black armbands? The Irish players used the armbands and their conduct during the anthem as a visible pre-match protest. Israel’s players wore black armbands separately to commemorate victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
Why was the match not played in Dublin? The FAI relocated the fixture to a neutral venue in Serbia, citing operational reasons, following calls for a boycott. The match was played without spectators.
Did Ireland refuse to play Israel? No. Although Bazunu withdrew, the wider Ireland squad chose to fulfil both Nations League fixtures after internal discussions.
