In brief
Republic of Ireland's national team has pledged to wear black armbands in honour of all lives lost in the Gaza conflict before playing a UEFA Nations League match against Israel in Hungary. The decision comes after one squad member withdrew in protest and a vote among the players resulted in a majority choosing to play. Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell confirmed the armband gesture and announced further symbolic acts for the home fixture in Serbia. Meanwhile, Israel’s federation praised the Irish for their stance, though the debate over the fixture underscores the clash between sport and politics.
Republic of Ireland will wear black armbands for Israel match
Republic of Ireland's senior squad announced that they will don black armbands to honour all lives lost in the Gaza conflict before the UEFA Nations League game against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary.
Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said one player had withdrawn in protest, but a vote of the squad produced a significant majority to play and to observe the armband gesture.
Courell added the players would also make further symbolic gestures for the return match in Serbia, and that charitable contributions would be made from the match fees.
Israel's football federation praised the Irish’s decision, stressing that football and politics should stay separate, and emphasized their own plans to appeal disciplinary actions from a recent match against Austria.
'It’s a situation you can’t win,' said manager Heimir Hallgrimsson following a lengthy meeting in the players’ hotel after the withdrawal.
