Republic of Ireland Confirm Israel Nations League Game Will Go Ahead Despite Calls to Pull Out

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson says the team's second Nations League game against Israel will go ahead as planned, despite growing calls for them to pull out.

Speaking before Thursday's match against Austria in Dublin, Hallgrimsson said the plan has not changed. "The FAI (Football Association of Ireland) has said we are playing both games. That was our intention when we came into the camp and it is still our intention," he said. He added that he does not know of any squad meeting to decide whether to play. "We are trying to focus on the football. It is already decided we will fulfil the games."

Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in Hungary on Sunday after the players voted to play the fixture. The 'Stop The Game' campaign, run by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, has since put out an open letter asking Ireland to pull out of the next game, which is on Sunday in Serbia and will be played behind closed doors. The calls are linked to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.

Doubts over the first game had grown on Saturday, when Ireland's pre-match news conference was put back because of a squad meeting. It started more than five hours late, and FAI chief executive David Courell said the players' vote to play had passed by a "significant majority". The players still made their feelings known on the pitch. They skipped the pre-match formalities, wore black armbands and bowed their heads during Israel's national anthem.

Hallgrimsson was also asked about possible protests at the Austria game. Ireland's last home match, a friendly against Qatar in May, was halted when fans threw tennis balls with the Palestine flag onto the pitch. "I must focus on football. I will let others think about security and those things," he said. "We are playing Austria, the highest-ranked team in the group. I'm not going to allow outside noise to affect me focusing on football."

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for both Israel games on Saturday, saying he felt it "would be wrong to participate". He has now returned to training ahead of the Austria game, and Hallgrimsson had strong words about how his decision has been reported. "There's been a lot of lies said around all of this, but we welcome him back and he's taken part, amazing," the manager said.

Hallgrimsson confirmed that Luton keeper Josh Keeley will take Bazunu's place in the squad for the second Israel game. He still had warm words for the Bolton player. "Gavin is a great lad. I've always had a good relationship with him and it's probably more tough for him than the other players, but they have really welcomed him," he said. "I think it shows his character, as well, to be with us, so I want to give him praise for that. I want to give the players praise for how welcome they have been with him."

He said the group has stayed tight through it all. "Life goes on. He is a part of this group and I think that shows how strong the bond is between these players that even a thing like this is not breaking us."

Hallgrimsson also singled out Southampton midfielder Finn Azaz, who has family links to Israel through his mother and was an unused substitute in the win on Sunday. The manager would not say whether the 26-year-old will play in the second game, but he praised his "incredible emotional control". "He's been one of the persons I admire the most in how he conducted himself in all of this," Hallgrimsson said.

"It is about being a member of a team, so you need to listen to all opinions. To do your thing, to do your work with grace and understanding of all opinions. Talking about walking the extra mile to being a part of a national team, I don't have words to explain to you and you wouldn't understand because inside camp he has so much respect within this group of players."