According to news agency reports, Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu informed his teammates and team management that he would not participate in the match against Israel. Following his decision, Ireland’s training session and press conference were also delayed, while players spent several hours discussing the matter.
Bazunu later said in a statement that his decision was not an easy one and that he had decided to withdraw from the match based on his personal principles. According to Bazunu, the killing of innocent people is wrong, and he wanted to make a stand for something bigger than himself.
Meanwhile, Irish midfielder Jason Knight had also previously questioned the decision to hold the match against Israel. Knight said he believed the match should not have been scheduled, but since it was now set to take place, the players would discuss the matter further.
More than 160 sports figures in Ireland have also spoken out on the issue. In an open letter issued by Irish Sport for Palestine, they called on the Irish team to boycott matches against Israel in protest against the war in Gaza.
Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson’s comments have also brought further attention to the controversy. Speaking about the match against Israel, he said that Ireland’s team was not playing with genocide but against it.
The Israeli Football Association strongly responded to Hallgrimsson’s comments, accusing him of stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy. The reaction came after the Irish coach’s statement, while some political figures and groups in Ireland also expressed support for Hallgrimsson’s position.
In November 2025, the Football Association of Ireland voted in support of a request to UEFA to suspend Israel’s membership. However, the association did not support withdrawing from Nations League matches held under UEFA.
The Football Association of Ireland later asked UEFA to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future draws for European competitions. However, UEFA rejected the request, saying there was no basis for separating the two teams in the same way as countries involved in certain direct political conflicts because Ireland and Israel do not have a history of direct conflict.
Reports said Ireland could have faced various consequences under sporting regulations if the team had withdrawn completely from the match. This led to lengthy discussions between the players and team management. Eventually, the Irish players voted to play the match, while Gavin Bazunu stood by his decision and withdrew from the squad.
The second Nations League match between Ireland and Israel will be played on October 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. The Football Association of Ireland decided to move the match outside Ireland due to security and operational difficulties. The game will be played behind closed doors.
