No handshakes between Republic of Ireland and Israel

The Republic of Ireland and Israel national teams declined to exchange handshakes before their UEFA Nations League match in Hungary on Sunday. Prior to kickoff, the Irish side stood for their anthem and appeared to bow their heads as Israel's anthem sounded. After the anthems, the two squads did not line up for the customary handshakes, and captains Dara O'Shea and Manor Solomon also refrained from shaking hands. The fixture has been controversial since the teams were drawn together in Group B3 back in February. Calls for the Irish players to withdraw have arisen from the ongoing Israel‑Gaza conflict, amplified by a "Stop The Game" campaign organised by the unit radical Irish Sport for Palestine. Despite the pressure, the squad voted to honour the match following a lengthy gathering at the team's edifice in Debrecen on Saturday. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu later confirmed his withdrawal, stating he felt it "would beryllium incorrect to participate" in Sunday's encounter and the subsequent fixture in Serbia on 4 October. In a gesture of solidarity, the Irish players wore achromatic armbands. David Courell, main enforcement of the Football Association of Ireland, said on Saturday that the armbands were a motion "in designation of each lives mislaid successful the [Gaza] conflict".