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Ireland have beaten Israel 3-0 in Hungary, while the FAI president says UEFA had not threatened extra sanctions if the fixture was not played.
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Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason Knight has said the Nations League match against Israel should not go ahead, with the first of two fixtures scheduled for 27 September 2026. He nevertheless acknowledged that the game was going ahead. [1] [2]
“I don't think the game should be going ahead but it is going ahead,” the Bristol City player said after Ireland's 1–0 defeat by Kosovo in Pristina on 24 September. BBC Sport reported his remarks on 25 September. [1]
The fixtures have faced scrutiny against the backdrop of Israel's military offensive in Gaza. BBC Sport, citing Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, reported on 25 September that more than 73,000 people had been killed during the offensive. [1]
Israel are the designated home side for the first match, at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, with kick-off at 19:45 BST. Ireland's home fixture is scheduled for 4 October at TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia, behind closed doors, the Football Association of Ireland has announced. [1] [2]
Knight said the players would discuss their approach as a group on 25 September. Writing in the Irish Examiner that morning, John Fallon reported that donating their match fees to humanitarian charity in solidarity with Palestinians was the likely outcome. He also reported that refusing pre-match handshakes and wearing human-rights T-shirts during the warm-up had been mentioned as possibilities. [6] [7]
Knight's opposition was personal rather than an announcement of collective action. Gavin Cooney reported in The Irish Times on 24 September that a last-minute boycott by the players was not on the cards. [5]
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Refusing to play carries sporting and financial risks. Article 26 of UEFA's Nations League regulations provides for forfeiture if an association refuses to play. Further disciplinary measures, including disqualification, are possible if the circumstances justify them; an association may also lose UEFA payments depending on the gravity of the case. [3]
Knight also rejected the suggestion that scrutiny of the Israel fixtures had disrupted preparations for Kosovo. “Nothing distracted us, it was just a disappointing night,” he told reporters, in remarks carried by The Irish Times. [5]
The Republic of Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in Hungary on Sunday, 27 September, in the first of two Nations League fixtures between the sides being played at neutral venues. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said a “significant majority” of its players had voted to play. [11]
After the match, FAI president Paul Cooke said UEFA had not threatened additional sanctions if Ireland failed to play one or both fixtures. He said the rules specified penalties for failing to fulfil a fixture and referred to other, undetermined sanctions. Any further penalty would depend on UEFA, he said. [11]
Before kick-off, the teams did not shake hands, Ireland’s players bowed their heads during Israel’s anthem, and captains Dara O’Shea and Manor Solomon did not exchange pennants. [11]
The sides are scheduled to meet again on 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia. [11]