This game followed a 3-0 Irish victory in the first leg, during which goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad in protest. The current match was moved from Dublin to a neutral venue after a pre-game press conference ended abruptly when Israeli journalists heckled coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Those reporters accused the Irish team of racism and links to a Flydubai attack, claims the Football Association of Ireland denied. UEFA previously declined to investigate reports of Israeli fans making monkey noises at a Black Irish player during the first meeting.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Ireland Draws 1-1 With Israel Amid Continued Gaza Protests
Sports16 days ago
The Republic of Ireland’s men’s soccer team played out a 1-1 deadlock against Israel on Sunday in a UEFA Nations League fixture in Backa Topola, Serbia. Irish players wore black armbands to honor Palestinians killed in Gaza and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem, while stand-in captain Caoimhin Kelleher declined to shake hands with Israeli captain Dor Peretz. Israeli players also wore black armbands, some marked "7/10," to commemorate victims of the October 7 attacks.
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