09/27/26 03:14:00
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09/27 15:12 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.
The game has faced bitter opposition in Ireland over Israel's actions in Gaza.
The Irish players looked down at the grass with their 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.
Reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazuno decided Saturday to boycott both of Ireland's
games against Israel because of what he said was his "personal belief that the
killing of innocent people is wrong."
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.
It was 3-0 at halftime.
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