Republic of Ireland delay press conference ahead of Israel fixture

WHAT HAPPENED
The Republic of Ireland delayed a pre-match news conference planned ahead of Sunday's Uefa Nations League fixture with Israel in Debrecen. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player had been due to face media at 09:15 BST (10:15 local), but the press conference was postponed shortly beforehand.

A Uefa official told waiting journalists the media session would be rescheduled to after training (around 11:30 BST/12:30 local), but the official then returned to announce that the team's training had also been postponed with no new time given. There is currently no confirmed time for the news conference.

The scheduled meeting between the two sides in Debrecen is set for 19:45 BST. The return fixture is due to be played in Backa Topola, Serbia, on 4 October.

KEY CONTEXT
The fixture has been the focus of a boycott campaign called "Stop The Game", organised by Irish Sport for Palestine, which has urged the Republic of Ireland to withdraw from the matches because of the ongoing Israel–Gaza war. Former manager Brian Kerr and ex-international James McClean are among those reported to have backed calls for a boycott. The source also notes there are Irish supporters who believe the match should go ahead with fans in attendance.

A team meeting took place on Friday to allow players to air their views on both Sunday's game and the return fixture. Players were expected to release a statement at Saturday's news conference, but the delay has added uncertainty; there have been reports of at least one player wishing to withdraw from the squad. The news conference, originally scheduled at the stadium, is now set to be staged at the team hotel, and Uefa has been unable to provide further information about the delay.

WIDER BACKGROUND
The source recounts key recent developments in the Israel–Gaza conflict: an attack by the armed Palestinian group Hamas on 7 October 2023 that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, and Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry — figures the United Nations considers reliable — more than 73,000 people have been killed during the offensive.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
There is no confirmed timing for the rescheduled training or press conference. The team remains scheduled to meet in Debrecen at 19:45 BST for the Uefa Nations League fixture against Israel.