Who is Gavin Bazunu, and why is he boycotting the Ireland vs Israel match?

What the report says

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from both matches against Israel in the UEFA Nations League, becoming the only player in the squad to publicly opt out of the fixture. In a statement posted on social media, the Dublin-born player said he could not take part because of a personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong. He also stressed that his decision was not directed at Israeli or Jewish people, but at the violence in the region.

Al Jazeera reported that the Football Association of Ireland confirmed Bazunu would be replaced for the first leg, scheduled for Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary, with the second leg set for October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia. The article said the match has been controversial for months in Ireland, where some supporters and activists had urged a boycott amid Israel’s war on Gaza. Bazunu’s withdrawal followed the FAI’s decision to proceed with the fixtures despite that pressure.

Bazunu, 24, has been Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper in recent games and has represented the national team in 22 matches. He previously came through Ireland’s youth system and spent time in Manchester City’s academy. His decision drew strong reactions online and from public figures, with some praising it as a principled stand and others criticizing the circumstances that left him isolated. The report also noted that Ireland’s squad included other goalkeepers, while a defender was listed as a reserve keeper under UEFA squad rules.