Ireland players to discuss Israel fixtures together after Kosovo match

Republic of Ireland players will meet on Friday to discuss their approach to the forthcoming fixtures against Israel, Dara O'Shea has said. According to BBC Sport, the squad agreed to hold that conversation after Thursday's match against Kosovo, with the defender emphasising that each player's views should be heard and respected.

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O'Shea said any collective position would follow an open discussion, rather than announcing a protest or boycott. Asked about refusing to play, he said decisions on fulfilling the fixtures had been made by the Football Association of Ireland, Uefa and the government, and were not for the players to determine. He described the situation facing the squad as difficult and unusual.

BBC Sport reported that O'Shea will captain the side with Nathan Collins injured. The first Israel fixture is scheduled for Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary. Ireland's designated home meeting is set for 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia, meaning both encounters will take place outside the two competing countries.

The discussion comes amid organised opposition to the matches. The Independent reported that campaigners demonstrated outside the team's Dublin hotel earlier this week. More than 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter from the Irish Sport for Palestine Group asking the FAI to reconsider its decision to proceed because of the conflict in Gaza.

According to The Independent, FAI delegates voted in July by 75 to 32 to fulfil the fixtures. The association had warned that refusing to play could damage Ireland's prospects of reaching Euro 2028 and future World Cups. It requested that the home match be moved away from Dublin because of security concerns.

The Independent also reported that the FAI had called for Israel's football association to be suspended in a letter to Uefa last November. A subsequent request to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future draws was rejected, with the FAI saying the reason given was that the countries had never been in direct conflict.