Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in Nations League match overshadowed by political controversy

The Irish team bowed their heads during playing of the Israeli national anthem on Sunday night and they declined to shake hands with their opponents, a gesture that is customary before international fixtures.

Ireland played the match wearing black armbands in memory of those killed in Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip , and just 24 hours earlier it was unclear whether the match would go ahead at all.

On Saturday, the players voted in favor of playing what was technically a home match for Israel in Debrecen, Hungary , despite widespread opposition to their participation among the Irish public.

David Courell, the chief executive of the Irish FA (FAI), told a press conference that had been delayed for several hours while players and coaches met to discuss the issue, that a significant majority of the squad had voted to play.

"Based on that, the association took ⁠the decision on behalf of Irish ​football that this fixture would continue, as we have always intended to fulfil the fixtures," he said.

However, the vote was not unanimous and one player, reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, decided to pull out of the squad for this and a second match against Israel during this international break.

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