Irish soccer players wear black armbands, refuse to shake hands ahead of contentious match vs Israel, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/irish-soccer-players-wear-black-armbands-refuse-shake-hands-contentious-match-vs-israel)
28-09-2026
The article reports on a contentious UEFA Nations League match played between the Republic of Ireland and Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, focusing on silent protests staged by the Irish squad and the surrounding political context.
Key details from the report include:
Pre-Match Protests: Irish players wore black armbands, looked down at the pitch, and kept their hands behind their backs while the Israeli national anthem played. Republic of Ireland captain Dara O’Shea shook hands with the match officials during the pre-game midfield exchange but did not shake hands with Israeli players.
Player Boycott: Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad and refused to participate, stating his decision was based on his personal belief that “the killing of innocent people is wrong,” while clarifying that his opposition was directed at atrocities in the region rather than the Israeli people or the Jewish community.
Match Context and Venue: Ireland’s soccer federation (FAI) had previously moved its home fixture to a neutral site with no spectators and had initially petitioned UEFA to suspend Israel from international competition. After UEFA declined to issue a ban, the Irish team held a four-hour internal discussion and voted to proceed with playing the fixture.
Broader Reactions: The article notes that Ireland has been a sharp critic of the war in Gaza, with the Irish government describing Israel’s military campaign as disproportionate while condemning antisemitism. In response, Israel’s Football Association maintained that sports and politics should remain separate.
Match Result: The Republic of Ireland went on to win the match 3–0.