The Irish players' group refused to start the last training session before the match with Israel. Instead, the team stayed in the players' hotel. The mandatory press conference, as required by UEFA, has been postponed. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is the only player to have publicly spoken out against participating in the match.
Ireland's coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, previously sparked the anger of the Israeli Football Association (IFA) by stating that his team "had to play two games against the genocide". The IFA called Hallgrimsson's statement "silly, hypocritical and stupid". The Israeli players have announced that they will not swap shirts with their Irish opponents in protest.
The Irish Football Association is facing a disciplinary case and risks a significant fine if the Irish national team refuses to play on Sunday. There have been calls in Irish society to boycott the two matches against Israel since the draw for the Nations League in February. The second match is scheduled to take place next Sunday in the Serbian city of Backa Topola.