What We Know About Ireland's Black Armbands for Israel Match

Republic of Ireland players will wear black armbands during Sunday's Nations League match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, a gesture the squad says is meant "in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict," Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said at a Saturday news conference, according to BBC Sport.

Why are Ireland wearing black armbands?

Courell said the players intend to wear the armbands for the away fixture in Debrecen and to make "further gestures" for both that game and the return match against Israel in Serbia the following Sunday, per BBC Sport. He said there will also be "elements of the pre-match ceremony" that Ireland's players will not take part in, though he did not specify which elements.

Did the Ireland squad vote to play the game?

Yes. Courell confirmed a vote among the squad produced what he called a "significant majority" in favour of playing the fixture, BBC Sport reported. The vote followed hours of uncertainty Saturday morning, when a scheduled 09:15 BST news conference with manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player was postponed 15 minutes before it was due to start. Training was also delayed while players were "locked in a meeting" at their hotel, according to the BBC. The rescheduled news conference did not take place until 14:30, more than five hours after originally planned.

Who withdrew from the squad in protest?

Courell confirmed that one player has withdrawn from the squad in protest, BBC Sport reported. The report identifies that player as goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, adding that several other players expressed concerns about taking the field before the squad vote was held.

What other gestures are planned besides the armbands?

Courell said players intend to make "a significant contribution to charitable donation" using match fees from both the Israel fixture and Thursday's game against Austria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, according to BBC Sport. He also said the squad has asked to be excused from media obligations for the remainder of the current international window: "One of their requests is to remove their media obligations for the remainder of this window," Courell said, per the BBC.

What is the "Stop The Game" campaign?

The fixtures have drawn organized opposition since Ireland and Israel were drawn together in Group B3. A campaign called "Stop The Game," organized by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, has pushed for Ireland to withdraw from the matches over the Israel-Gaza war, BBC Sport reported. That pressure, combined with internal dissent inside the squad, produced the delays and closed-door meeting that preceded Saturday's eventual confirmation that the game would go ahead.

What happens next?

Ireland play Israel in Debrecen on Sunday, then host Austria at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday before the return fixture against Israel in Serbia the following Sunday. Courell, Hallgrimsson and FAI director of football John Martin appeared together at Saturday's delayed news conference to confirm the squad's decision and the planned gestures, according to BBC Sport.