‘You can’t win’: Ireland’s football team to play Israel despite player protest

Ireland's football team has decided to play against Israel in a match scheduled for Sunday, despite protests from players within the squad. The team's Icelandic coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, acknowledged that his athletes were "almost to a breaking limit" as they debated whether to participate in the match. Substitute goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, a key player, expressed his unwillingness to compete in the game, leading to rumors of others potentially joining his protest.

Despite the internal discord, Ireland's Football Association (FAI) announced that a majority of the 26-player squad voted to proceed with the match. The game will be held in Hungary without Irish fans, as demands from pro-Palestinian protesters for the cancellation of the match grew louder. Hallgrímsson described the situation as a Catch-22, emphasizing that his team was legally and professionally obligated to play Israel.

He stated that the players would avoid pre-game ceremonies and wear black armbands in remembrance of those affected by the conflict. The FAI has been under pressure from activists to boycott Israel since being drawn to play the Israelis twice in February. The ongoing tension between the two nations stems from Israel's offensive on Gaza following the Hamas attack in 2023, and Ireland's recognition of Palestinian statehood in 2024, which strained relations further. Israel's national football association did not immediately comment on the Irish team's decision.