Ireland players vote to face Israel in Nations League amid Gaza protests

Ireland will play Israel in the Nations League on Sunday after the squad voted to go ahead with the fixture, despite some players wanting to boycott the match in protest at the war in Gaza.

The match will take place in Debrecen, Hungary, with exceptional arrangements surrounding the fixture. The two teams are due to meet again on 4 October, when the match officially hosted by Ireland will be played in Backa Topola, Serbia, without supporters.

The Football Association of Ireland said its players had voted to play both Nations League matches following several days of internal discussion. Chief executive David Courell said a “large majority” had supported taking part.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed that one unnamed player had withdrawn from the squad before the two games.

“No one feels comfortable playing these matches, for several reasons, and we are trying to deal with it in the best way possible,” Hallgrimsson said.

The Israel Football Association welcomed Ireland’s decision. In a statement, it said: “What satisfies us today is football’s victory.”

It added that those who had sought to intimidate, create division and turn a football stadium into a political arena were the losers.

Ireland’s players will not speak to the media on Sunday, according to Courell. They will also wear black armbands in remembrance of victims of the conflict in the Middle East.

There will be no pre-match handshake between the players and no exchange of flags. Proceeds from the fixture will be donated to charity.

Ireland midfielder Jason Knight said on Thursday that Sunday’s match “should not be taking place” and confirmed that the players would hold a further, more detailed discussion about the issue.

The fixture is being staged at a neutral venue in Hungary because Israel cannot host international matches under the current security situation. The return game, formally designated as an Ireland home match, will be held in Serbia on 4 October behind closed doors.

Raidio Teilifis Eireann has also confirmed that its coverage of Sunday’s game will be broadcast without commentary. The Football Association of Ireland has waived its allocation of tickets for the match.