THE Republic of Ireland players could stage a symbolic on-field protest prior to facing Israel in their controversy-dogged Nations League double-header.
The ‘Boys in Green’ could follow the lead of the Ireland women’s basketball team who stood by their bench rather than on the court for the anthems and then refused to shake hands with their Israeli opponents before their international clash in 2024.
Ireland play begin their Nations League campaign in Kosovo next Thursday before playing Israel ‘away’ (in Hungary on September 27) and ‘home’ (in Serbia on October 4) either side of a Dublin clash with Austria.
There may be a symbolic protest but it hasn’t been discussed yet says manager Heimir Hallgrimsson.
“We need to focus on the Kosovo match because of the limited time we have (Ireland get together on Sunday and fly out for their opener in Pristina on Tuesday),” he said.
“We’ll talk about that and then, after that, we’ll talk about the Israel game. Asking about shaking hands and stuff, we’ll take that when it comes. It’ll be down to the players themselves what they want to do.”
The Ireland manager said he spoke to each of his players individually to take a reading on their concerns about being involved in the Israel games.
“I can say honestly some of them felt really uncomfortable playing the games,” he explained.
“But it shows the team spirit that they said: ‘If we decide to play, I am in it, I am one of the team’. That’s brilliant. Even in these circumstances to have them want to represent this team and be a part of this team no matter how uncomfortable it is is really nice for me to hear.
“None of us feel comfortable playing these games but once we’ve decided to play them we must stick together, play as one and represent Ireland to the best that we can. That’s the agreement we have between all of us.”
Captain Nathan Collins has been ruled out of all four matches through injury. Also out injured are Evan Ferguson, Josh Cullen, Jack Taylor and Oisin McEntee while Seamus Coleman (rumoured to be a target for Hibs) and Robbie Brady are currently without clubs.
Dara O’Shea will take over as captain and Collins’s absence leads to a first senior call-up for Sheffield United centre-back Liam Kitching.
Watford winger Rocco Vata received his first call-up since March 2025 following a successful recovery from a long-term injury while Jack Moylan, Owen Elding and Tom Cannon retain their places after impressing in the summer friendly series against Grenada, Qatar and Canada. Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan also returns to the fold.