Ireland refuse handshake with Israel and don armbands in Nations League tie

Republic of Ireland footballers repeated a visible protest before their second UEFA Nations League meeting with Israel by wearing black armbands and, in at least one high-profile instance, refusing to complete the customary pre-match handshake. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, standing in as captain for Dara O’Shea, avoided shaking hands with Israel captain Dor Peretz after completing formalities with match officials. Players also bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem. The match, staged in Backa Topola, Serbia, behind closed doors, finished 1-1. Troy Parrott put Ireland ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute after Peretz fouled Jimmy Dunne; Peretz then levelled early in the second half with a close-range finish. The game followed a tense first fixture in Debrecen, Hungary, and came amid sustained public pressure in Ireland, where many urged a boycott of the ties in protest at Israel’s war in Gaza. The Football Association of Ireland had moved the second fixture to a neutral venue and ordered it to be played without fans, citing "operational reasons" in June amid widespread calls for cancellation. The FAI had previously passed a motion asking UEFA to suspend Israel from club and international competitions. More than 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter urging the association to reconsider staging the games, and protests and demonstrations took place outside team hotels and at previous matches. Players and staff faced internal debate: only reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu opted not to travel for both fixtures, citing his personal conviction against the killing of innocent people. The Ireland squad reportedly voted in favour of continuing with the games after deliberation ahead of the first match. Irish broadcaster RTÉ limited its coverage of both fixtures to meet contractual obligations, removing studio presentation and commentary and declining advertising or sponsorship around the broadcasts.