The two fixtures, which took place at neutral grounds, had been surrounded by controversy since the teams were placed together in Group B3 in February. Republic of Ireland players came under sustained pressure to pull out of the matches amid the continuing Israel-Gaza conflict. The “Stop The Game” campaign, organised by Irish Sport for Palestine, […]
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Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson claimed Israel attempted to unsettle his side amid accusations that an Israeli player spat at a member of Ireland’s staff during Sunday’s heated Uefa Nations League draw. Tensions rose between the teams at half-time in the 1-1 match, which took place without spectators in Serbia. The Irish Times, external […]
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Although Bazunu pulled out of the matches against Israel, midfielder Finn Azaz was also absent from both fixtures, albeit for separate reasons. The 26-year-old has Israeli family ties through his mother, and the Republic of Ireland manager believed this placed him in a difficult position after the squad chose to wear black armbands and lower […]
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Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has urged Uefa to prevent his team from being drawn against Israel again following two matches that he said had been difficult for everyone involved. Ireland surrendered their lead and settled for a draw in another tense encounter, played behind closed doors at the TSC Arena in Backa […]
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Israel’s fixtures have been the main focus of this international break, with the Republic of Ireland facing calls to pull out of the matches. The appeal came from the ‘Stop The Game’ campaign, organised by the Irish Sport for Palestine pressure group, whose supporters demonstrated outside the Aviva Stadium before the match against Austria. Thursday’s […]
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The Football Association of Ireland has opened an inquiry into claims that striker Adam Idah was subjected to racist abuse from Israel supporters during the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 Uefa Nations League win on Sunday. Midfielder Jayson Molumby reportedly alerted the match officials during the game and asked them to monitor chants from a section […]
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Football and politics are deeply connected in today’s world, regardless of how much some may prefer otherwise. Whether the sport can help address society’s wider problems is far less certain. After Irish solidarity with the people of Gaza transformed the buildup into a moral debate, the result of this disappointing contest eventually seemed almost secondary. […]
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The Republic of Ireland have announced that Sunday’s UEFA Nations League B3 fixture against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, will proceed as planned. On Saturday morning, there was considerable uncertainty over whether the match would take place. A pre-match press conference featuring manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player had been set for 09:15 BST, but it […]
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The Republic of Ireland have postponed their pre-match press conference for Sunday’s Uefa Nations League encounter with Israel in Hungary, amid calls from campaigners to boycott the fixture. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side are due to face Israel in Debrecen at 19:45 BST, before playing the return match in Backa Topola, Serbia, on 4 October. The team […]
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Republic of Ireland winger Chiedozie Ogbene has asked the public not to place responsibility on the players amid calls to boycott the forthcoming Nations League matches against Israel. The teams are scheduled to face each other in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, with the reverse fixture taking place in Backa Topola, Serbia, on 4 October. Both […]
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