Ireland skips handshakes with Israel as players wear Palestinian armbands
Ireland players wore black armbands for Gaza casualties. They refused handshakes before a 1-1 Nations League draw.
Ireland's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher refused to shake hands with Israeli captain Dor Peretz before Sunday's match in Serbia. Kelleher repeated a protest from the first game last week.
Players wore black armbands and bowed during Israel's national anthem. The players did this to support Palestinians killed in Gaza.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw. It was played behind closed doors on neutral ground.
The Football Association of Ireland moved Sunday's game from Dublin to Serbia. There was intense pressure at home where support for Palestinians runs strong.
Only reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu skipped both matches. Bazunu said the killing of innocent people is wrong.
- Ireland 3-0
- First match result
- 1-1 draw
- Second match result
- Backa Topola, Serbia
- Match venue
- Dublin
- Original venue
Why it mattersThe gesture shows how sports can be a hot spot for world political tensions. Athletes taking moral stands divide opinion.
AustraliaNo direct Australian involvement, but reflects global debate about whether sport should be a space for political protest.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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