Israeli team says “football has won” after Irish player boycott vote

Israel’s football federation has responded to Irish players’ decision to boycott handshakes at the upcoming UEFA Nations League match, stating that “football has won today”.

At a press conference in the Nagyerdei Stadion on Saturday, head of communications Shlomi Barzel read a prepared statement asserting the need to keep politics separate from sport and praising the FAI and its players for eventually recognising the issue, even if the decision was delayed.

The Irish squad reportedly voted 65% in favour of refusing handshakes and pennant exchanges with the Israeli side, both for the Sunday fixture and the rematch in Backa Topola next week. Israeli manager Ran Ben‑Shimon and vice‑captain Dor Peretz said their players would still extend a hand, despite the Irish stance.

Barzel criticised Irish campaign groups such as Stop The Game, claiming they attempted to turn the pitch into a political arena. He also noted that the Israeli FA has lodged a complaint with UEFA over the dismissal of Sayed Abu Farkhi, who missed Sunday’s game after receiving two yellow cards in a recent match in Austria.

Peretz told the Irish Examiner that Israeli players would attempt to shake hands and urged the dissenting Irish players to visit Israel to understand the country’s reality.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Berke Can / Pexels.