Ireland boss Hallgrimsson warns second Israel game 'won't be a friendly' after Debrecen row
October 3, 2026 11:40
WHAT HAPPENED
Hallgrimsson's caution follows tensions that emerged when Ireland, after facing calls to boycott the fixtures because of the Israel-Gaza war, did not take part in pre-match formalities and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem in Debrecen. The first game ended 3-0 to Ireland, and Israel captain Manor Solomon said afterwards: "we have a country 10 times better than theirs."
KEY CONTEXT
The second meeting is Ireland's designated 'home' game but was moved to the TSC Arena in the Serbian town of Backa Topola and will be played behind closed doors amid ongoing fan protests. The "Stop The Game" campaign organised by Irish Sport for Palestine staged demonstrations outside the Aviva Stadium before Ireland's 2-2 draw with Austria on Thursday, a match that was briefly interrupted by a tennis-ball protest and a pitch invader.
Hallgrimsson said the controversy has taken a toll on his squad, adding fatigue because of "everything going on" was a factor as Austria recovered from Troy Parrott's first-half double. He also thanked supporters in Dublin for their backing and said the medical staff would "work day and night to get them fit and fresh for that game."
OTHER DETAILS
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for both Israel matches, saying he felt "it would be wrong to participate." On the eve of the Debrecen game, a players' vote on whether to play went in favour of fulfilling the fixtures; Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell described the result as a "significant majority."
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Ireland travel to Backa Topola for the behind-closed-doors fixture on Sunday. Hallgrimsson said the contrast of playing without fans after recent large attendances would be "just another angle of the story" and that his players must be ready for it.