FAI pleased after Ireland’s 3-0 win over Israel amid boycott calls

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said it is “quite happy” following the Republic’s 3-0 victory over Israel in Budapest.

The match, played in a stadium with a capacity of about 20,000 but limited attendance, saw the Boys in Green wear black armbands to honour “all lives lost in the conflict”, bow their heads during the Israeli national anthem and decline to shake hands with their opponents.

FAI response to media coverage

Off‑the‑Ball reporter Ben Symes told Newstalk Breakfast that FAI President Paul Cook criticised the media’s handling of the game at a press conference, saying the coverage had not been balanced and that no one had decided for the team to play.

Cook added that the FAI believed it had managed the situation well given the circumstances and that the board was “quite happy” with how the week had unfolded.

While the majority of players voted to play, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu reportedly considered withdrawing. The next fixture is against Austria on Thursday, and Symes suggested the stadium atmosphere is likely to support Bazunu.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Caio Cezar / Pexels.