Ireland beat Israel 3-0 after players refuse pre-match handshake

Ireland scored three times in the opening 25 minutes to defeat Israel 3-0 in the second-tier fixtures of the Nations League.

Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan were on target in a match preceded by a series of protests and statements from Ireland’s manager, players and supporters over Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Heimir Hallgrimsson had criticised Israel in the days before the game, saying: “We are not playing with genocide, we are playing against genocide. So we are playing against Israel, not with Israel. Hopefully we can play good football because that is my job here.”

On the eve of the match, Hallgrimsson said: “We make it clear that we do not support anything that is happening in Gaza. We are playing this match because of the rules of the game and the conditions of the tournament.

“We feel it is wrong that we are playing against Israel, but there is no decision we can make or anything we can do that will have unanimous support.”

He added: “The players feel as if they are doing something wrong by playing this match, and under the pressure being placed on them in Ireland, it is not a good feeling when you face that pressure from the people you play for.”

Bazunu withdraws

Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the fixture only hours before kick-off.

The Nigerian-born goalkeeper wrote on Instagram: “Representing my country means everything to me, and I have the utmost respect and appreciation for every one of my team-mates, the manager and his staff, and the entire Irish people.

“However, I have made a decision that was not easy for me at all. I am a man of strong faith and I try my best to be a person of principles and values, so I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming matches against Israel.”

Bazunu said his decision was “based solely and absolutely on my belief that killing innocent people is wrong”.

He added: “It is important to say that my position is not directed against the Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against the atrocities and crimes being committed in the region.”

He concluded: “There are rare moments in life when you have the opportunity to take a stand for a bigger and greater cause, and I strongly believe this is one of them.”

Bazunu’s decision meant Ireland registered defender Jimmy Dunne as a substitute goalkeeper.

Reports also said pubs in Ireland had refused to show the match. Aidan Brown, owner of Bedar Brown’s pub in Dublin’s historic Liberties district, said: “About a month ago, we committed to not showing any of the upcoming Nations League matches until Ireland takes a firm stance against Israel. We did not show the Kosovo match, and we have no intention of showing Israel matches at all.”

Match protest

The game was played at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Hungary, Israel’s home venue, in front of only 150 supporters.

Ireland’s players did not shake hands with their opponents before kick-off and looked down while Israel’s national anthem was played. They also wore black armbands in mourning for Palestinian lives.

Parrott opened the scoring, Idah doubled Ireland’s advantage and Moylan completed the scoring in the 25th minute. Moylan celebrated by raising and kissing his black armband.

The victory moved Ireland to three points in fourth place, behind Austria and Kosovo.