Ireland Players Agree to Play Israel Fixtures with Black Armbands as Gavin Bazunu Withdraws

Ireland's squad voted to proceed with their UEFA Nations League matches against Israel despite intense boycott pressure, while reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the team.

Deliberations over whether to boycott upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel took a heavy toll on the Republic of Ireland squad on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Discussions at the team hotel delayed Ireland's planned press conference and training session by more than five hours ahead of Sunday's fixture against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary.

Following a team vote where a significant majority favored playing, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) decided the fixture would proceed as scheduled. However, 24-year-old reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, confirming on social media that he felt it was 'wrong to participate' based on his personal belief that 'the killing of innocent people is wrong.' Bazunu clarified that his stance was 'not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region.'

FAI CEO David Courell stated that an unnamed player's discomfort had prompted the team's deliberations. Courell announced that the squad requested an exemption from media obligations surrounding Sunday's match and intends to wear black armbands 'in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict.' The team will also skip certain pre-match ceremonial elements, while both the players and the FAI will make a 'significant contribution' to charity from match fees and from Ireland's game against Austria on October 1.

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson acknowledged the immense pressure from home, where public affinity for Palestinians is strong. Hallgrimsson previously drew sharp criticism from the Israeli soccer federation after stating, 'we're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide.' Midfielder Jason Knight also voiced concerns following Thursday's 1-0 loss to Kosovo, stating he did not think the fixtures should go ahead.

The FAI resisted calls for a complete boycott due to fears of severe UEFA sanctions, which could jeopardize Ireland's co-hosting of the 2028 European Championship. Ireland's designated home fixture against Israel will be played behind closed doors at a neutral venue in Backa Topola, Serbia, on October 4. Meanwhile, national broadcaster RTÉ confirmed it will broadcast only stripped-back coverage of the games without studio analysis or commentary, and will refuse any advertising around the fixtures.

Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.