Ireland to Wear Black Armbands Again in Second Match Against Israel

Icelandic coach of the Republic of Ireland, Heimir Hallgrímsson, confirmed on Wednesday that the national team will play their second UEFA Nations League match against Israel on Sunday, despite initial doubts surrounding the first fixture due to the war in Gaza. Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in Hungary on Sunday, following a turbulent preparation period where the players voted to proceed with the game after goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew the day before.

"The Football Association of Ireland has stated that we will play both games. That was our intention when we entered the camp, and it still is," Hallgrímsson stated at a press conference in Dublin. "We are trying to focus on football. The decision has already been made that we will play both games."

Ireland is scheduled to play Austria in Dublin on Thursday before their "home" match against Israel, which will be held behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, Serbia. During the previous match in Debrecen, Irish players wore black armbands to honor victims of the Gaza war and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem in a sparsely attended stadium. Traditional pre-match handshakes and the exchange of team pennants did not occur.

Hallgrímsson announced that the Irish players will again wear black armbands and bow their heads during the Israeli anthem in the upcoming game. Goalkeeper Bazunu was the only player to withdraw, citing that it would be "wrong to participate" in either match due to the "killing of innocents."

Since the draw placed Ireland in the same group as Israel in the Nations League in February, pro-Palestinian athletes, fan groups, and activists have called for a boycott of the two matches. The Football Association of Ireland had previously requested UEFA to suspend Israel's participation but failed to garner sufficient support. UEFA moved the October 4th match from Dublin to Serbia, citing "operational challenges."