Ireland players vote 14-8 to face Israel after goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu pulls out over Gaza atrocities

From the Newshound archive · first published 27 September 2026.

Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu pulled out of tonight's contentious match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, citing his inability to take part while civilians are dying in Gaza. His squad-mates then held a vote in his absence — meeting in a hotel showroom — and backed playing the fixture 14 votes to 8. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin dismissed antisemitism concerns linked to the dispute, even as fans and players remained sharply divided ahead of kick-off.

Former Ireland manager Brian Kerr demanded the FAI board step down, accusing it of 'collaborating' in Israeli sportswashing.

Bazunu said his position is 'not in opposition to the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region.'

When asked about the 14-8 vote figures, the FAI declined to either confirm or deny them, fuelling suspicions about how the crisis had been managed.