Ireland show support for Gaza in victory over Israel

27.09.26 FT UEFA Nations League B

Israel

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Ireland

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The meeting between the Republic of Ireland and Israel was marked by protests from the Irish players. The internationals wore black armbands in memory of those killed in the conflict in Gaza and looked at the ground during the Israeli national anthem.

Protest visible on the pitch

On the sporting front, Ireland quickly took control of the match by scoring three goals in the first 25 minutes. The team maintained that advantage until the final whistle. Jack Moylan, who scored the third goal, marked his celebration by removing his black armband, kissing it and then raising it above his head.

Moreover, the players from the two teams did not shake hands after the anthems. There was also no exchange of pennants between the captains or shirts between the players after the match.

Gavin Bazunu absent from the squad

Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu did not take part in the match. Everything indicates that he had refused to play against Israel and was consequently not included in the squad. His absence came in the context of positions expressed before the match regarding the meeting with the Israeli team.

Before kick-off, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson had expressed his opposition to the match in the context of the conflict in Gaza:

We do not play with genocide; we oppose genocide. We play against Israel, we do not play with Israel.

Through the players’ gestures and their manager’s comments, this Nations League match was therefore marked by symbolic demonstrations linked to the conflict in Gaza, beyond its sporting result.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr

Related teams and leagues

Israel

Ireland

UEFA Nations League B