Ireland and Israel omit handshakes before Nations League meeting in Hungary

Republic of Ireland and Israel players did not take part in the customary pre-match handshakes before their UEFA Nations League fixture in Hungary on Sunday. BBC Sport reported that the teams did not form the usual line after the national anthems at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, where the game went ahead following days of debate over Ireland's participation.

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The captains, Ireland's Dara O'Shea and Israel's Manor Solomon, also did not shake hands or exchange pennants. Ireland's players appeared to lower their heads before the Israeli anthem, according to the BBC's account. They wore black armbands, a gesture Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell had said would acknowledge everyone killed in the Gaza conflict.

The ceremony followed a vote by the Irish squad to play the fixture. RTÉ reported that Courell announced the decision at a press conference on Saturday after a four-hour meeting, saying a substantial majority had supported going ahead. The press conference had been delayed by more than five hours, while the team's planned morning training session was also held up.

Courell also outlined a charitable contribution involving both the players and the association, according to RTÉ. He said match fees and revenue from the Austria fixture would form part of a significant donation. Those commitments accompanied the decision to wear armbands, with the squad choosing to take the field while making separate gestures around the matches.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu took a different position, withdrawing from the squad on Saturday. The BBC reported that he considered participation in Sunday's match and the October 4 return fixture in Serbia to be wrong. The meetings have drawn boycott calls linked to the Israel-Gaza war, including a campaign organised by Irish Sport for Palestine since the teams were paired in Group B3.

The two fixtures are being staged outside either team's country. Sunday's match in Debrecen is Israel's home game, while Ireland's return meeting is scheduled for Backa Topola in Serbia. The FAI had said tickets would not be sold to Irish supporters; BBC Sport nevertheless reported that a small number were visible inside the Hungarian stadium.