Ireland and Israel skip pre-match handshakes before Nations League tie

WHAT HAPPENED
The Republic of Ireland and Israel players did not shake hands before their UEFA Nations League game at Nagyerdei Stadion in Hungary. After the anthems the Irish squad stood for their own anthem and appeared to bow their heads during Israel's anthem; there was no pre-match handshake line or pennant exchange between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O'Shea and Israel captain Manor Solomon.

CONTEXT
The fixtures have been contentious since the February Nations League draw because of the ongoing Israel–Gaza war. A "Stop The Game" campaign organised by Irish Sport for Palestine had urged the Republic of Ireland to withdraw, but the players held a lengthy meeting at their hotel in Debrecen on Saturday and voted to fulfil the fixture.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu confirmed he had withdrawn from the squad, saying he felt it "would be wrong to participate" in Sunday's game and the return fixture in Serbia on 4 October. The Irish players wore black armbands; Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said the armbands were a gesture "in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict". After scoring the Republic of Ireland's third goal, Jack Moylan removed his armband and kissed it before kissing his team's badge.

There were a small number of Israel supporters at the stadium and the Irish players were jeered during their pre-match warm-up. The FAI had confirmed no tickets would be sold to Republic of Ireland supporters, although a handful of Irish fans were spotted inside the ground.

HEAD COACH REACTION
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said the build-up had been unusually difficult. Speaking to RTE before kick-off he described it as "one of the most challenging weeks for me as a coach" and said many players had "mixed emotions". "It is our job to protect all of them," he added, and expressed hope the players could still "do a good performance" and enjoy playing.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The Republic of Ireland have a return Nations League fixture away on 4 October in Serbia.