Irish and Israeli Footballers Decline Traditional Pre-Match Handshakes

The Republic of Ireland and Israel football teams opted not to partake in the traditional pre-match handshakes before their UEFA Nations League game on Sunday in Hungary. As the teams walked onto the pitch at Nagyerdei Stadion, the Republic of Ireland squad stood with heads bowed during Israel's national anthem, foregoing the customary exchange of greetings.

Following the anthems, the players did not line up for handshakes, and the team captains, Dara O'Shea of the Republic of Ireland and Manor Solomon of Israel, did not shake hands.

The fixture has been a source of controversy since February, stemming from the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. A campaign, "Stop The Game," organized by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, had called for the Republic of Ireland team to withdraw from the matches. Despite these calls, the players voted to proceed with the fixture during a meeting on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu announced his withdrawal from the squad on Saturday, stating that he felt it would be inappropriate to participate in the match and the subsequent return fixture scheduled for October 4. The Republic of Ireland players wore black armbands during the game. Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell stated on Saturday that the armbands were a gesture "in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict."