The Republic of Ireland and Israel players did not participate in the traditional pre-match handshake or exchange of pennants before their UEFA Nations League meeting in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday. The teams entered the Nagyerdei Stadion, with Ireland players standing for their national anthem and appearing to bow their heads before Israel's anthem. The pre-match ceremony proceeded without the usual handshake between players and pennant exchange between team captains Dara O'Shea and Manor Solomon.
The decision to skip the pre-match handshake and pennant exchange was announced in advance by Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell. He stated that the Irish squad had agreed not to participate in these parts of the ceremony. The players wore black armbands, which Courell described as a gesture "in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict." This move was a compromise after internal discussions within the Irish camp over whether to play the fixture at all.
The fixture had faced opposition in Ireland since the teams were drawn together in February. The Irish Sport for Palestine campaign launched a "Stop The Game" initiative, calling on the Ireland team to boycott the two Nations League meetings with Israel. Over 160 athletes signed an open letter urging the players not to participate. The FAI had also sought to have Israel excluded from UEFA competitions, but UEFA rejected the request.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, citing his personal belief that the killing of innocent people was wrong. He stressed that his decision was not directed against Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against what he described as atrocities in the region. The Irish squad held a meeting on Saturday, and players voted by a "significant majority" to fulfill the fixture, according to the FAI.
The FAI had previously sought to have Ireland and Israel kept apart in future competition draws, but UEFA rejected the request. FAI Chief Executive David Courell said the request was made after Ireland and Israel were paired in the Nations League. He stated that UEFA's answer was clear: that would not be possible because Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict.
The first meeting between the teams was played at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, with Israel designated as the home side. The return fixture on October 4 was moved to the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia, and will be played behind closed doors. The FAI cited operational challenges that could affect the delivery of the game on home soil as the reason for the move.
The Ireland-Israel fixture forms part of Group B3 of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. Ireland entered Sunday's match after a 1-0 defeat away to Kosovo in their opening game, while Israel lost 3-1 to Austria. The unusual pre-match scenes and controversy surrounding the fixture highlight the tensions and complexities surrounding sports and politics.
Key points
- The Ireland and Israel players skipped the traditional pre-match handshake and pennant exchange amid growing controversy surrounding their UEFA Nations League fixture.
- The decision to skip the pre-match handshake and pennant exchange was announced in advance by Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell.
- Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, citing his personal belief that the killing of innocent people was wrong.
