Ireland's hopeless farce: win over Israel in Nations League duel
Ireland won the Nations League duel against Israel 3-0, but the joy was clouded by a bleak farce in which the Irish national players wore black armbands and lowered their heads before kickoff.
Protest actions before the match
Black armbands, lowered heads: The Irish national players displayed a clear sign of solidarity with the victims of the Gaza war before the match against Israel. Jack Moylan, who scored the third goal, removed the armband after his strike and kissed it. Substitute goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had previously stated that, on personal conviction, he did not want to play against Israel.
Match progress and victory
In Debrecen, Hungary, Ireland prevailed with a clear 3-0. Despite the political tensions, the match remained sporting, and the Irish players refrained from any handshakes before and after kickoff. Daniel Peretz, Israel's goalkeeper, who previously played for FC Bayern and Hamburger SV, criticised the events after the match as “based on ignorance”.
Reactions and political background
The Irish Times commented on the result with the words: “Ireland defeats Israel in a bleak farce that leaves everyone with a feeling of bitterness and betrayal.” The Irish Independent added: “Points taken, but hardly anything won.” Head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson emphasized that the players had “sharpened their awareness of the issue.” President Paul Cooke of the Irish Football Association (FAI) stated that the decision to stage the match was made by the members and the board, and praised the players’ courage as “honour for Ireland, the nation and Irish football.” Manor Solomon, Israel’s captain, spoke emotionally and said that he would probably be suspended for several matches if he spoke openly about the Irish players. The background of the tensions is Israel’s role in the Gaza conflict, which since 7 October 2023 has led to over 1,200 deaths and more than 250 hostages and, since October 2025, has produced a ceasefire but continued deadly attacks. Hallgrímsson noted that support for Palestine in Ireland is “probably the biggest in all of Europe.”