Irlanda players vote to face Israel, wear black wristbands
In the quiet of the team hotel in Debrecen, the Ireland squad gathered late on Saturday, voices low as they debated whether to honour a Nations League (Liga) fixture against Israel. Hours stretched into a five‑hour delay of the press conference and training, the tension palpable before a vote was taken.
Players vote to continue despite pressure
The majority of the Irlanda players voted in favour of playing the Israel match, and the team will wear black wristbands to acknowledge the lives lost in Gaza. Earlier, the starting XI against Kosovo had been announced, underscoring the squad’s routine preparations before the controversy erupted.
Bazunu quits over Gaza convictions
Backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, 24, announced on social media that he was leaving the squad, saying it would be "wrong to participate" based on his personal conviction that the killing of innocent people is an error. He stressed his stance was not against the Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against the atrocities being committed in the region.
FAI response, wristbands and charity
David Courell, executive director of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), said a player’s discomfort sparked a lengthy discussion and that a "significant majority" supported continuing the fixture. The association decided the match would go ahead, citing a commitment to fulfil the calendar, and confirmed the black wristbands will be worn. Courell added that both the players and the FAI will make a significant charitable contribution from the match fees, none of which will be available to Irish fans, and from the Ireland‑Austria game in Dublin on 1 October.
Gavin Bazunu quits the training camp: Ireland decides to play Israel in Debrecen
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed that the rest of the squad are training today and that the issue remains under discussion, with further talks planned for the evening and possibly tomorrow. He reiterated that the match will be played as scheduled.
Media coverage and wider boycott
Irish public broadcaster RTÉ announced it will provide reduced coverage of the Israel fixtures, with no studio presentation, no analysis and no advertising or sponsorship surrounding either game. RTÉ also confirmed that Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year because of Israel’s participation.
Ireland decides Nations League duel with Israel despite boycott
The story was flagged as a preferred source on Google and categorised under Futbol, reflecting the broader debate in Ireland where pressure to boycott the two Israel matches – the away game in Debrecen and the home tie moved to a neutral venue in Backa Topola, Serbia on 4 October – remains intense.