Ireland players to hold squad talks on Israel fixture after Kosovo match
The short version
- Ireland play Kosovo in Pristina Thursday (19:45 BST) before facing Israel in Debrecen on Sunday.
- Dara O'Shea will captain the side in place of the injured Nathan Collins.
- The squad plans a group discussion on Friday about the Israel fixture.
- Over 160 Irish sportspeople signed a letter urging the FAI to withdraw from the Israel games.
- Ireland's 'home' game against Israel is set for Backa Topola, Serbia, on 4 October.
Stand-in captain Dara O'Shea says the Republic of Ireland squad will gather on Friday to discuss the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel in Hungary.
Republic of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea says the squad will meet on Friday to discuss how it handles Sunday's fixture against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary. The Ipswich player, who will captain the side while Nathan Collins is injured, said the topic deserves proper time and that any player decision would be made collectively.
Ireland first face Kosovo in Pristina on Thursday at 19:45 BST. O'Shea stressed the players' immediate focus is on that match, adding that the group has tried to shut out external noise by staying off social media. A second meeting with Israel follows on 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia, serving as Ireland's home game.
There have been growing calls in Ireland to boycott the fixtures, including an open letter from the Irish Sport for Palestine Group signed by more than 160 Irish sportspeople urging the FAI to withdraw. A protest was held at the team hotel in Dublin on Monday.
O'Shea said the choice to play the games was made by the FAI, UEFA and the government, not the players, who represent their country when called upon. Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, criticized by the Israel FA over recent comments, called the situation difficult and said his earlier remarks distracting from the Kosovo game were 'not clever' from a leadership standpoint.
