Football: Ireland has confirmed that it will face Israel, but the goalkeeper continues his boycott.

After numerous controversies and tensions, the players of the Irish national football team will finally face Israel this Sunday night. They voted on Saturday in favor of participating in this match. The game will indeed take place in Hungary for security reasons, but the players will wear a black armband “in tribute to all the lives lost in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” stated the president of the Irish Football Association.

There will be no handshakes or exchanges of pennants. Additionally, Irish television, bound by contractual obligations to broadcast both matches, will present the game without commentary or advertisements.

The pressure on the players of the Ireland national team began in February, following the draw that designated Israel as their opponent. The Irish federation had called for a boycott of Israel by UEFA, but to no avail. Forced to play both matches, they refused to sell tickets to their supporters and to host the return match in Ireland.

The pressure then intensified on the players, who ultimately voted on their participation the day before the match. One of the goalkeepers announced his intention not to play. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu explained his decision on Instagram: “My decision is solely based on my personal conviction that killing innocents is unjustifiable,” said the keeper from the English club Bolton.

“What makes us happy today is that football has triumphed,” stated the Israeli Football Association in a statement. They added: “The distinction between football and politics must be preserved; any other approach would mean disorder and a dangerous drift on a slippery slope, leading to disastrous consequences for the sport we all cherish.”

Ireland has long offered strong support for the Palestinian cause, partly due to its own history and British domination. Moreover, the issue of Sunday’s football match arises just days after public broadcaster RTE announced that Dublin will boycott the Eurovision contest again in 2027 due to Israel's participation.