Irish Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu Leads Boycott Against Israel Football Match

Despite the Republic of Ireland national football team announcing on Saturday that they will play against Israel, reports indicate that at least seven players have declared they will boycott the match. The first player to lead this boycott is goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who was previously teammates with Israeli player Daniel Peretz at Southampton.

Bazunu served as Southampton's primary goalkeeper until Peretz joined the team last season. At the time, one reporter described the transition from Bazunu to Peretz as a significant upgrade for the club. Bazunu remained with Southampton until the end of the previous season, but the club decided to keep Peretz and release Bazunu to Bolton.

Now, Bazunu finds himself in a situation of rivalry with Peretz again, though they will not face each other on the field. This season, Bazunu has conceded six goals in three games, including three in a 3-2 loss to West Ham, a team that also features Israeli player Manor Solomon.

Another Irish player who played with Peretz at Southampton last season and remains with the club is Finn Azaz, whose mother was raised in Israel. Azaz is expected to participate in the upcoming match.