Republic of Ireland confirm final decision on Israel match after players vote on boycott

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that Sunday's contentious Nations League game against Israel will go ahead. The decision follows a vote between Ireland's players on whether to boycott the fixture.

Campaigners have called for them to pull out of the match, which will be played at a neutral venue in Hungary, because of the war in Gaza. The team's pre-match press conference and scheduled training session on Saturday morning were both delayed, plunging the game into doubt.

Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu also reportedly indicated that he didn't want to play. But in a statement on Saturday afternoon, the FAI announced that the clash with Israel will go ahead as scheduled at 7:45pm BST on Sunday.

"The association made this decision following consultation with the Republic of Ireland players who shared different views and a majority expressed that the fixtures should be played," the statement read. "The association respects the views of all players involved and appreciates the level of sensitivity concerning these fixtures."

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FAI CEO David Courell added in a press conference: "This morning, a player expressed their discomfort with fulfilling this fixture to the head coach and indicated their intent to withdraw from the squad.

"Ultimately, within the last maybe 90 minutes, we carried out a vote amongst the squad to establish their sentiment ⁠on fulfilling the fixtures and it was a ⁠significant majority that was returned with the intention to continue.

"So based on that, the association took the decision on behalf of Irish football that this fixture would continue as we have always intended to fulfil the fixtures."

Failure to play their game against Israel - as well as their second meeting next Sunday in Serbia - would see Ireland risk financial penalties from UEFA.

Should Ireland play Israel? Have your say in the comments section.

Following their 1-0 defeat to Kosovo on Thursday, Ireland midfielder Jason Knight said: "Look, it's difficult. I don't think the game obviously should be going ahead but it is going ahead.

"We'll have a deeper talk about it and what that means, we'll get our thoughts as a group and go from there. I'm quite experienced. None of us have gone through this scenario before but I'd like to think I'm experienced, thick-skinned and I can get through most things and that is what I will try and do.

"I'll try and focus on the football as much as I can. I'll give my view and my thoughts on it (the Israel games) when I see fit, but I'll be trying to focus on the football as much as possible."