No pennant exchange or handshakes before Israel v Ireland Nations League kick-off | OneFootball

Ireland's players wore black armbands in tribute to victims of the conflict as they faced Israel in the Nations League in Hungary on Sunday.

According to L'Équipe, the League B second matchday tie kicked off at 20:45 in Debrecen, where Israel are staging home games. The match proceeded despite boycott threats amid a tense backdrop over the war in Gaza after the Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

As signalled beforehand, the Irish squad declined the customary handshakes with their opponents after the anthems.

After the toss, there was no pennant exchange between captains Manor Solomon and Dara O'Shea.

With goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu choosing to boycott the game, QPR defender Jimmy Dunne was named as Ireland's third goalkeeper on the team sheet to comply with UEFA Nations League rules requiring three keepers.

Source: L'Équipe

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