Ireland defeats Israel in controversial UEFA Nations League match

Ireland’s players wore black armbands in support of Palestinians, bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem, and refused pre-match handshakes.Published On 27 Sep 202627 Sep 2026The Republic of Ireland has won the first of two football matches against Israel at the UEFA Nations League, defeating the Israeli team 3-0 after calls to boycott the match drew international attention.Ireland’s players wore black armbands at the game in Hungary on Sunday in support of Palestinians killed during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Irish players also bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem and did not shake the hands of the Israeli team. Ireland’s captain, Dara O’Shea, has also pledged to donate all of his earnings from the match to aid Gaza.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ireland decide to play Israel in Nations League after squad votelist 2 of 3‘Heroic decision’: Ireland’s Bazunu hailed for Israel match withdrawallist 3 of 3‘It’s a mass movement’: Pubs in Ireland refuse to screen Israel matchend of listOn Saturday, Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell said the players would wear black armbands “in recognition of all lives lost in the conf...