Republic of Ireland will play second Israel game - Hallgrimsson

What the report says

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says the team will go ahead with its second Uefa Nations League match against Israel, despite renewed calls for the fixture to be cancelled because of the Israel-Gaza war. Speaking before Ireland’s game against Austria in Dublin, he said the Football Association of Ireland had already decided the team would play both Israel matches and that the squad’s focus remained on football.

The issue has drawn attention since Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in Hungary on Sunday, after players voted to fulfil that first game. The build-up was marked by a delayed news conference and concern over whether the match would proceed. BBC Sport reports that the players also declined some pre-match formalities and wore black armbands during the anthem. An open letter from the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine had urged Ireland not to take part in the second fixture, which is scheduled to be played behind closed doors in Serbia.

Hallgrimsson also addressed the absence of goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who made himself unavailable for the Israel games. He said Bazunu had since returned to training and praised both him and the rest of the squad for handling a difficult situation. Luton goalkeeper Josh Keeley is set to replace Bazunu for the second Israel match. The coach also spoke positively about midfielder Finn Azaz, saying the squad had managed the issue with respect and unity.