Ireland protests before the match against Israel in an empty stadium

In a very tense atmosphere, Ireland beat Israel 3‑0 on Sunday evening in Debrecen, Hungary, in front of an almost empty stadium, while displaying protest gestures before kickoff. The players refused the handshake, wore a black armband and lowered their heads during the Israeli anthem, thus showing their solidarity with the victims of the conflict.

Protest gestures

Just before kickoff, at 18:45 GMT, the captains did not exchange pennants or a handshake, as the Irish Federation had announced the day before. It was a decision taken in consultation with the players, who also lowered their heads during Israel’s anthem. The players wore a black armband as a sign of solidarity, an explanation given by the FAI’s chief executive, David Courell, the day before the match.

After the third goal, striker Jack Moylan brandished the black armband toward the camera before kissing the Irish badge on his shirt, highlighting the team’s political message. The AFP agency relayed these gestures as a form of peaceful protest.

Match progression

This match is part of the Nations League, the international League that brings together national teams. Ireland easily dominated Israel, scoring all three goals before halftime, without any major incident. A brief scuffle on the pitch led the referee to issue two yellow cards, one to each side.

The Debrecen stadium was almost empty and the pre‑match protocol was heavily reduced, reflecting the tension surrounding the fixture. Sports media noted the absence of Irish supporters, the Federation having decided not to allocate tickets for its fans.

Reactions and aftermath

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar sharply criticized the Irish initiatives, calling them “on the wrong side of history”. On X, he likened the gesture to a Nazi salute practiced by Ireland in 1939, stating: “This time, they stand on the side of Palestinian terrorism.” Israeli supporter Mol Michael said that sport “belongs to the public, not to politics”.

The second match will take place on October 4 at Backa Topola, Serbia, where Ireland will officially be “at home”. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu boycotted both games to protest the war in Gaza, a decision confirmed by a team vote the day before the match. The FAI said that the broadcast on RTE will be without journalistic commentary.

Ireland continues to support the Palestinian cause, having recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 alongside Spain and Norway, and has repeatedly condemned the war in Gaza.