Republic of Ireland news conference delayed before controversial Israel game

The Republic of Ireland have postponed their pre-match news conference for Sunday's UEFA Nations League game against Israel in Hungary. The fixture, which has been called for boycott by campaigners, is scheduled for 19:45 BST. The return fixture in Backa Topola, Serbia, is set for 4 October. Ireland has faced calls to withdraw from the games due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, with a "Stop The Game" campaign organized by Irish Sport for Palestine gaining momentum.

However, some Irish supporters believe the match should proceed with supporters in attendance. Following their 1-0 defeat to Kosovo, some players have expressed their doubts about the match going ahead. The scheduled news conference was delayed shortly after it was set to begin, with no confirmed time or location provided. The controversy surrounding the fixture began when the two teams were drawn in Group B3, leading to a team meeting where players could voice their opinions.

A statement was expected at the scheduled news conference on Saturday, but the delay has added further uncertainty. It has been reported that at least one player may withdraw from the squad. The news conference, originally planned at the stadium, is now set to be held at the team hotel, with Uefa unable to provide further information on the delay.

The conflict intensified after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 73,000 casualties according to Hamas-run health ministry data.