09/27/26 04:47:00
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09/27 16:46 CDT Ireland players wear black armbands and refrain from handshakes
in soccer game against Israel
Ireland players wear black armbands and refrain from handshakes in soccer game
against Israel
DEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) --- There were no handshakes between Ireland and Israel
players before their contentious Nations League match on Sunday, with the Irish
team wearing black armbands for its 3-0 victory.
The game faced bitter opposition in Ireland over Israel's actions in Gaza with
the players coming under huge pressure to boycott two matches against Israel.
Reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazuno decided Saturday to leave the squad for both
games because of what he said was his "personal belief that the killing of
innocent people is wrong."
The Irish players looked down at the grass with their heads bowed and hands
behind their backs during the playing of the Israeli national anthem, and Irish
captain Dara O'Shea approached the center of the field for the pre-match talk
with his hands still firmly clasped behind his back.
O'Shea shook hands with the referee and his assistants but there was no attempt
to shake the hand of Israel captain Manor Solomon.
There was a small group of Israeli fans in the otherwise almost-empty stadium
in Debrecen, Hungary, but an even smaller group of around 10 people without
colors were celebrating when Troy Parrott broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.
There weren't supposed to be any Irish fans present. Some Ireland supporters
who managed to get tickets through the Israeli soccer federation told Irish
broadcaster RT that those had been canceled Saturday night.
Adam Idah made it 2-0 three minutes after Parrott's opener and Jack Moylan got
the third goal in the 25th.
Ireland needed goalkeeper Caoimhn Kelleher at his best to deny Israel after
the break, and tempers became frayed around the hour mark after a clash between
Idah and Raz Shlomo. Both players were booked by German referee Harm Osmers.
Israel forward Sayed Abu Farchi was suspended for the game after his sending
off following his goal-celebration in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Austria.
Ireland and Israel meet again on Oct. 4 in Ireland's "home" game in Backa
Topola, Serbia.
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