Ireland's national football team played Israel in a UEFA Nations League match in Debrecen, Hungary on September 27, 2026, despite internal squad controversy over Gaza. Irish players wore black armbands for Palestine, refused pre-match handshakes, and won the match; goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu boycotted in protest.
No BS check run yet — press ⚖ to extract this story's claims and verify them against independent sources.
Republic of Ireland players are considering boycotting Sunday’s Nations League match against Israel after goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu said he did not want to play in protest over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Players held meetings at their team hotel in Hungary to discuss whether to collectively refuse to play. Captain Dara O’Shea said all views would be respected before any decision was made. Source: The
The Republic of Ireland confirmed Sunday’s UEFA Nations League B3 match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary will take place after uncertainty over whether the fixture would be played. Reports said several players, including goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, wanted to withdraw, leading to a team meeting and delays to pre-match activities. After a players’ vote, the decision to play was approved by a signifi
That this came down to a vote amongst the players (no doubt under strong pressure from the FAI), up to 7 players voted against playing the game, and yet it is still being played. Shambolic. And the 1 player who has withdrawn is a hero we need to protect. www.rte.ie/sport/soccer... The Republic of Ireland press conference will take place at 2.30pm after the squad spent the morning deliberating whet
this outlet adds: arse, biscuits, read, back, unfolded
Ireland’s squad voted by a “significant majority” to play its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel, Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said on Sept. 26. The first match is scheduled for Sept. 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, and the return fixture for Oct. 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. The decision followed calls in Ireland to boycott the games over the war in Gaza [arynews.
The Football Association of Ireland said the national team will play Israel in a UEFA Nations League match in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, Sept. 27, after the squad voted by what the FAI called a “significant majority” to proceed. The return fixture, designated as Ireland’s home match, is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia, after security and disruption concerns prompted organizers to m
Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu opts out of Nations League matches against Israel Gavin Bazunu, the goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland and English club Bolton, has informed his national team teammates that he does not wish to participate in the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel, according to The Irish Times. This decision by Bazunu has sparked fresh discussions withi... # UEF
Republic of Ireland’s Gavin Bazunu boycotts Israel match ‘as a person of principle’ https://www. theguardian.com/football/2026/ sep/26/ireland-players-vote-to-go-ahead-with-nations-league-match-against-israel?CMP=share_btn_url
Good for him for standing up for his beliefs. www.theguardian.com/football/202... The Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixtures with Israel will go ahead after a ‘significant majority’ of players voted in favour
Ireland — Ireland's squad chose to proceed with the Israel match despite ongoing tensions linked to Gaza. #Ireland #Irish #News Ireland's national football squad has decided to play the upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Israel, despite concerns over the ongoing situation in Gaza. The decision was made after a vote amo… · Photo : CC0 · Rawpixel
Israel — Ireland has listed Jimmy Dunne as a backup goalkeeper for their upcoming Nations League game against Israel. #Israel #News Ireland has named QPR defender Jimmy Dunne as a goalkeeper for their Nations League match against Israel. This decision comes after Gavin Bazunu opted out of the game on conscientious grounds. The Rep… · Photo : joshjdss · CC BY · Flickr
Irish side will play Israel in Debrecen in Nations League game despite back-up goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu pulling out
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has said "we are here to play football" after the squad arrived for their UEFA Nations League clash with Israel in Hungary tonight.
Ireland has been thrust into the global spotlight over two controversial Nations League football games against Israel.
Ireland — Ireland's manager commends goalkeeper's decision to boycott match over ethical concerns #Bazunu #GavinBazunu #Ireland #News The Ireland manager, Heimir Hallgrímsson, has publicly acknowledged Gavin Bazunu's choice to withdraw from the team ahead of the match against Israel, calling it a "brave decision." This comes after a… · Photo : infomatique · CC BY-SA · Flickr
Ireland players refuse handshakes with Israelis before Nations League match - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/ireland-players-refuse-handshakes-israelis-nations-league-match Ireland players refuse handshakes with Israelis before Nations League match Ireland’s national football team refused to shake hands with Israeli players and bowed their heads during Israel’s national a
So five players had the decency to say no to the genocide game. www.rte.ie/sport/soccer... Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson made a host of changes to his team to play Israel in the UEFA Nations League tonight in Hungary.
Republic of Ireland players did not shake hands with the Israeli team before their Nations League match on Sunday night.
Ireland's players wore black armbands in support of Palestine, bowed their heads, and refused pre-match handshakes.
Israel — Ireland's players showed solidarity with Palestine by bowing during the anthem and refusing pre-match handshakes in their 3-0 win over Israel. #Game #Israel #Ireland #Israeli #News Ireland’s national football team took a solemn stance during their Nations League match against Israel on Sunday, bowing their heads during the national anthem and refusing pre-match handshakes amid o… · Photo
Israel v Republic of Ireland in Nations League: No handshakes between players before fixture - BBC Sport share.google/ZTwZfbBUe2fM... Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says his players "raised awareness worldwide" after they chose not to engage in pre-match formalities with Israel.
this outlet adds: https, football, articles, c6r7dy2yyx2xo
this outlet adds: want, actions, like, apartheid, footba, europe, football, uefa
this outlet adds: notice, theguardian, photos, game, hide, black, armbands, footba
Manor Solomon on Ireland Clash: Mutual Dislike Amid Nations League Tensions Manor Solomon, captain of the Israel national team, spoke out about the controversial match against Ireland in the second round of the UEFA Nations League. The former Shakhtar player reacted to the fact that the Irish players refused to shake hands with their opponents and showed disrespect during the Is... # Shakhtar # UE
Republic of Ireland squad protest over Israel match The Republic of Ireland football team could have faced "undetermined" sanctions if it didn't play its game against Israel The Republic of Ireland football team could have faced "undetermined" sanctions if it didn't play its game against Israel
FAI Prepares UEFA Complaint Over Alleged Abuse in Ireland-Israel Match The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is preparing to file a complaint with UEFA following the Nations League match against Israel. The game took place on September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, and ended with a 3-0 victory for Ireland. The day after the match, the FAI announced that it was reviewing video and audio foo... # UEF