Ireland goalkeeper withdraws from Ireland squad in individual boycott over 'Israel' fixture

• Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from the squad after indicating he would not play Sunday’s Nations League match against ‘Israel’.
• The decision prompted hours of discussions before a “significant majority” of Ireland’s players voted to proceed with the fixture.

Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from the national team squad after refusing to participate in Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match against ‘Israel’ amid opposition to ‘Israel’s’ actions in Gaza.

Bazunu’s decision triggered several hours of discussions among the Irish squad, coaching staff and Football Association of Ireland (FAI) officials in Debrecen.

FAI CEO David Courell confirmed that a player had told head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson they were uncomfortable fulfilling the fixture and intended to withdraw from the squad. Irish media identified that player as Bazunu.

The goalkeeper’s decision prompted the Ireland players to debate whether the entire team should boycott the match.

Courell said the squad eventually held a vote, with a “significant majority” backing participation.

“Ultimately, within the last maybe 90 minutes, we carried out a vote amongst the squad to establish their sentiment on fulfilling the fixtures, and it was a significant majority that was returned with the intention to continue,” Courell said.

The team’s scheduled press conference and training session were delayed for several hours while the discussions took place.

Bazunu subsequently maintained his decision not to participate and left the squad.

The FAI confirmed that Sunday’s match will proceed as scheduled in Debrecen.

The decision comes amid sustained pressure in Ireland for the team to boycott its Nations League fixtures against ‘Israel’ over the Gaza war.

More than 160 Irish sports figures have signed an open letter urging the FAI not to proceed with the matches, while protests have also been held calling on the players to withdraw.

Ireland midfielder Jason Knight previously expressed opposition to the fixtures, while head coach Hallgrimsson said earlier that the team was “not playing with genocide” but “against genocide.”

The ‘Israeli’ Football Association has criticized Hallgrimsson’s comments and welcomed Ireland’s decision to fulfill the fixture.

The Irish team is also expected to take symbolic measures during the match, including wearing black armbands. Claims that the squad will refuse handshakes or skip post-match media duties have not been independently confirmed.