Ireland refuse handshake with Israel and don armbands in Nations League tie

What the report says

Ireland’s men’s football team again used symbolic gestures during their UEFA Nations League meeting with Israel on Sunday, wearing black armbands and declining handshakes before the match. Al Jazeera reported that the players also bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem. The game, played behind closed doors on neutral ground in Backa Topola, Serbia, finished 1-1.

Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, acting as captain, did not shake hands with Israel captain Dor Peretz before kickoff. The report said this repeated the approach taken by Ireland captain Dara O’Shea in the earlier meeting between the sides, which Ireland won 3-0 in Hungary. Troy Parrott put Ireland ahead from the penalty spot in the first half, before Peretz equalised shortly after the break.

The match took place amid strong political pressure in Ireland over Israel’s war in Gaza. The Football Association of Ireland had already moved the fixture out of Dublin for what it called operational reasons, and said it would be played without spectators. Al Jazeera also noted that the FAI had previously urged UEFA to exclude Israel from competitions.

The article said the controversy extended beyond the pitch, with protests in Dublin and at an earlier Ireland match against Austria. It also reported that some Irish players and officials had faced criticism and accusations in the build-up, while Ireland’s broadcaster limited its coverage to meet contractual obligations. The context helps explain why this fixture drew attention far beyond its football result.