The Republic of Ireland national team has confirmed it will play its scheduled Nations League match against Israel in Hungary, and will wear black armbands in recognition of the lives lost in the Gaza conflict.
Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said one squad member withdrew in protest, but a vote among the remaining players gave a significant majority in favour of playing.
The decision follows pressure from groups such as Irish Sport for Palestine, which have campaigned for a boycott of the fixtures, and a wider debate over whether sport should serve as a political platform.
Courell noted that, alongside the black armbands, the team would make further gestures for the home and away matches and would contribute to charitable donations based on match fees.
Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson described the situation as one that could not be won or lost, stressing the need to limit damage for the players, the federation and the nation.
Israel’s football authorities welcomed the decision, with director of communications Shlomi Barzel stating that football had “won” by keeping the game on the pitch and maintaining the separation between sport and politics.
