Ireland defeats Israel in controversial UEFA Nations League match

What the report says

The Republic of Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in the first of two UEFA Nations League matches, a game held in Hungary on Sunday that had drawn international attention because of calls to boycott it. Al Jazeera reported that the match went ahead after discussions involving the Football Association of Ireland, a team vote, and advance notice to Israel and UEFA about pre-match conduct.

Ireland’s players wore black armbands, bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem, and did not exchange handshakes before kickoff. According to Al Jazeera, the armbands were meant to acknowledge lives lost in the conflict, while captain Dara O’Shea said he would donate his match earnings to aid Gaza. The report also said Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu, chose not to take part in either leg of the fixture.

The match took place amid sustained pressure on the FAI from campaigners who wanted Ireland to boycott Israel over the war in Gaza. Al Jazeera said Irish Sport for Palestine had organized a campaign since May, and that more than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter urging the federation to reconsider. The reporting adds that some campaigners have argued Israel should be barred from UEFA and FIFA competition because of its actions in occupied Palestinian territory. The result came just days before the second leg scheduled for October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia.