Stop the game! How was the most scandalous match of the League of Nations

The matches between the national teams of Ireland and Israel in the framework of the League of Nations became one of the most politicized events in the history of the tournament.

The first meeting was remembered by a series of demonstrative protests from the Irish footballers, who eventually won 3-0.

The matches were moved to neutral territory (Hungary and Serbia) for security reasons. About 150 Israeli fans attended the game in Debrecen, with very few Irish fans.

Protest gestures and refusal to shake hands

Before the first match, Irish activists from the Stop the Game campaign organized protests outside the Aviva Stadium and the national team hotel in Dublin, expressing the majority of Irish people’s opposition to the game.

Even before the opening whistle, Irish players took to the field with black mourning armbands in memory of those killed in the Gaza Strip. During the performance of the Israeli anthem, the Irish simultaneously lowered their heads, looking into the lawn, and their coach Heimir Hadlgrimsson defiantly turned his back on the field.

The culmination was a complete disregard for traditional handshakes. Irish captain Dara O'Shea, shaking hands with the referee and his assistants before the draw, ignored Israel captain Manor Solomon, holding his hands behind his back. The teams also did not exchange pennants. There was no handshake after the final whistle either.

Team split and goalkeeper decision

The games might not have happened. There have been calls in Irish society and among athletes to boycott matches against Israel over the military operation in Gaza. On the eve of the game, the team held a four-hour meeting at the hotel, after which a vote took place. The vast majority of players were in favour of taking to the pitch, but with protest gestures.

One footballer refused to participate. Backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu left the squad, saying his personal beliefs prevent him from playing because "killing innocent people is wrong." Because of his departure, the Irish had to declare defender Jimmy Dunn as the third goalkeeper.

In the first match, Ireland won a convincing victory, scoring all three goals by the 25th minute. Troy Parrott, Adam Ida and Jack Moylan distinguished themselves.

Then, after the third goal, Moylan ripped off the black armband and kissed her before celebrating the goal. This was another symbolic act.

The Israeli side strongly disagreed with what was happening. In an official statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry made a distinction between “protesters” and “those who play.”.

Israel captain Manor Solomon commented emotionally after the match, saying: Obviously they hate us. We don't like them. And goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, in turn, described what is happening as “based on ignorance”.

The situation in Israel affected another meeting

In September, the match of Ireland and Austria, held in Dublin, was twice interrupted due to protests from fans.

In the 20th minute of the match, they threw tennis balls on the field, which depicted the flags of Palestine and the hashtag “Stop The Game”. Later, a fan with a Palestinian flag ran onto the field, which was removed by stadium staff.

The action was aimed, among other things, in support of goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who had previously expressed his reluctance to participate in the game against Israel in solidarity with Palestine.