{
  "id": 10443711,
  "title": "'A loss for Irish football': Ireland victory over Israel leaves sour taste",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/a-loss-for-irish-football-ireland-victory-over-israel-leaves-sour",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T12:35:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/loss-for-irish-football-ireland-victory-israel-leaves-sour-taste"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A loss for Irish football was experienced when Ireland claimed a 3-0 victory over Israel in a match held in Hungary. However, the outcome of the game was met with disappointment, as many Irish fans had previously campaigned against the match taking place. The players wore black armbands in remembrance of those who had been killed in Israel's Gaza genocide, observed a moment of silence during the Israeli national anthem, and did not shake hands with their Israeli counterparts. The presence of a few Israeli fans in the stands led to boos, \"Fuck Ireland\" chants, and \"IDF, IDF!\" chants in support of Israel's army.\n\nYoseph Haddad, a former Israeli soldier turned online influencer and Knesset candidate, criticized the Irish team, claiming that the loss on the football field did not matter compared to the IDF's power. He stated that the Irish team had lost on football but would never be defeated by the IDF.\n\nDuring the match, which Ireland won comfortably with goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, and Jack Moylan, Irish player Jayson Molumby drew the referee's attention to allegations of Israeli fans racially abusing Idah, who has a Nigerian father. However, UEFA stated that no action would be taken, as official protocols were not followed.\n\nRebecca O'Keeffe, a former Ireland international basketball player and campaigner with Irish Sport for Palestine, described the game as \"a loss for Irish football.\" She criticized the lack of leadership and moral authority from the Football Association of Ireland, UEFA, and the Irish government in standing against the game, which ultimately reflected the nation's dependence on the United States and Israel, its great protector.",
  "summary": "'A loss for Irish football': Ireland victory over Israel leaves sour taste Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Mon, 09/28/2026 - 12:39 Ireland won 3-0 against Israel in Hungary, but many at home had campaigned for the game not to happen Israel fans wave flags after the Israel v Republic of Ireland match at Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, Hungary, 27 September 2026 (Bernadett Szabo/Reuters) Off Ireland’s…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ireland defeats Israel 3-0 in Hungary, but victory is sour.",
    "Players wore black armbands, observed silence, avoided handshakes.",
    "UEFA takes no action on racial abuse allegations against Irish fans."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Irish players refuse handshakes, wear black armbands in Nation Leagues clash against Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/irish-players-refuse-handshakes-wear-black-armbands-in-nation-leagues",
        "published": "2026-09-28T11:56:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}