‘Israel’ captain Manor Solomon says Irish players “hate us” after 3-0 defeat

‘Israel’ captain Manor Solomon slammed the Republic of Ireland team after his side’s 3-0 defeat in a highly charged UEFA Nations League match on Sunday evening.

The game, played at a neutral venue in Debrecen, Hungary, was overshadowed by pre-match protests from the Irish players, who refused customary handshakes, bowed their heads during ‘Israel’s’ national anthem, and wore black armbands.

Ireland took control early, with first-half goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan securing a comfortable victory and their first win of the campaign under manager Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Irish captain Dara O’Shea shook hands with the match officials but made no attempt to greet Solomon during the coin toss, while the Irish squad stood with heads lowered and hands behind their backs as Hatikvah played.

The Football Association of Ireland described the armbands as a mark of respect for “all lives lost” in the assault on Gaza.

Reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was the only Irish player to boycott the fixture.

Speaking to Hebrew media after the match, Solomon, the West Ham forward, said some Irish players had made unpleasant remarks during the game.

“I don’t want to talk about [the Irish players]. If I say what I think of them, I’d likely be suspended for a few matches… Obviously they hate us. We don’t like them,” he said.

He added that he was already looking forward to the return fixture: “I’m waiting for the next game against them. It’ll be a different game entirely.”

Addressing the Irish players’ conduct during the anthem, Solomon was dismissive. “They don’t interest me. We have a country ten times better than theirs, stronger, an amazing country with amazing people. We are proud to wear the team shirt and to be Israelis. We are proud of our state and of our soldiers. [The Irish] can play all their tricks. We are Israelis and love the country. And that will always be the case.”

‘Israeli’ goalkeeper Daniel Peretz said “it’s all ignorance”.

“There are players who came, wanted, asked and understood the situation. Those who don’t want to and aren’t interested – that’s their right… We need to concentrate on football.”

The two teams are due to meet again next Sunday in Bačka Topola, Serbia, in another neutral-venue fixture that will be played behind closed doors.

Solomon vowed a different result, while Irish players did not address the media after the match and are not expected to speak during the current international window.