Israel Football Association Declares 'Football Won' Amidst Ireland Controversy

The Israeli Football Association has declared that "football won" after a day of significant tension surrounding the upcoming Nations League match against Ireland. The controversy stemmed from reports that several Irish players were reluctant to play against Israel due to political reasons, with some Irish media outlets focusing heavily on political issues rather than the sport. The Israeli team's press conference, held in Debrecen, Hungary, where the match is scheduled for Sunday, addressed the situation.

Shlomi Barzel, the Israeli FA's head of communications, stated that the decision to proceed with the match, supported by UEFA and the Irish FA, correctly separated football from politics. He confirmed that Israeli players would offer handshakes to their Irish counterparts, despite reports that the Irish team might refuse. Barzel also clarified that he would not apologize for a previous social media post from the Israeli FA that criticized the Irish coach, though he admitted he might have chosen different wording.

Israeli coach Ran Ben Shimon expressed his desire to focus solely on the game, acknowledging the team's ability to handle pressure despite not playing at home. He affirmed his intention to shake hands with the Irish coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, regardless of Hallgrímsson's reported stance. Israeli player Dor Peretz emphasized that the team's chances remain unchanged and encouraged a deeper understanding of Israel's reality for those who wish to comment on it.

The Israeli FA also officially filed a complaint with UEFA regarding a yellow card given to player Saeid Abu Farhi, which they deemed incorrect and a result of misinterpretation by the referee. The team is preparing for a difficult match, having lost their previous Nations League game against Kosovo, while Ireland also lost their opener to Austria. The return match between Ireland and Israel is scheduled for next week in Serbia.