The Republic of Ireland team have delayed their pre‑match news conference ahead of the Sunday UEFA Nations League game against Israel in Debrecen.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side are scheduled to face Israel at 19:45 BST, with a home return in Serbia on 4 October.
A growing boycott drive, called “Stop The Game”, is spearheaded by Irish Sport for Palestine, with support from former manager Brian Kerr and ex‑international James McClean. The campaign seeks to prevent the match in protest of the Israel‑Gaza war.
While some players say they do not believe the game should proceed, others maintain that it should be played with supporters in attendance.
Initially slated for 09:15 BST, the press conference was postponed after a UEFA official informed the media that it would take place after training, around 11:30 BST. Shortly after, the same official announced that the training session itself was also cancelled with no timetable set.
The fixture has been controversial since the group draw, and the delays have exacerbated uncertainty about whether the Irish squad will field a full team. Reports suggest that at least one player has considered withdrawing from the squad.
The backdrop remains the escalating conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza, which has claimed over 73,000 Palestinian lives according to the Hamas‑run health ministry.
