Israel tie in doubt as Irish goalkeeper refuses to play
Gavin Bazunu, the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper who is Republic of Ireland’s second‑choice keeper, has told the national team staff on Friday that he will not feature in the UEFA Nations League tie against Israel on Sunday. The decision, reported by Ben Husband, Sports News Editor on 26 Sep, has sparked an emergency meeting among the squad and thrown the match into serious doubt.
Goalkeeper's refusal
Bazunu’s announcement, confirmed by the Telegraph, marks the first public refusal from a Republic of Ireland player regarding the Israel fixture. As the team’s backup goalkeeper, his stance carries weight, especially with the match scheduled for 20:45 on Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary. View 2 Images captured the moment the news broke, underscoring the rapid spread of the story.
The Irish camp now faces the prospect that other squad members may follow Bazunu’s lead, potentially leaving the side unable to field a full XI. Teammates gathered for an emergency session on Saturday, deliberating whether a collective boycott is the appropriate response.
Team deliberations
Captain Dara O’Shea stressed the need for open dialogue, saying: “We’ve got to respect each other’s opinions and each other’s views and really sit down and take the time, because it deserves the time to talk about.” His remarks reflected a broader desire within the squad to reach a consensus.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson echoed this sentiment, insisting the team is “playing against genocide, not with genocide”. He added that any decision will be taken as a united front, with every player’s view respected.
Political backdrop
The boycott debate unfolds against a backdrop of heightened humanitarian concerns. A UN‑commissioned inquiry has labelled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, and more than 73,000 people have been reported killed following the conflict that began after the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023.
Over 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter urging the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to withdraw from the fixture, and protests were staged outside the team’s Dublin hotel earlier this week. A pre‑match press conference slated for Saturday morning was cancelled minutes before it was due to start, with no explanation offered.
In response, the Israeli Football Association issued a statement highlighting Israel’s contributions to science and culture, while dismissing the Irish side’s stance as “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity”. The statement also noted that Israel will not host the match at home for security reasons, confirming the venue in Hungary.
The FAI has reiterated that the fixtures must go ahead, warning that cancellation could lead to significant financial losses and sporting penalties. The return leg is set for 4 October in Serbia, meaning both encounters remain on the calendar unless the players collectively decide otherwise.