Republic of Ireland vs Israel LIVE: Controversial Nations League clash latest score, news and updates

The Republic of Ireland and Israel lock horns once more this evening amid tensions between the two countries relating to the conflict in Gaza. A sense of unease began to settle in when Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson made strong comments in the build-up to the first match between the pair in the Nations League at the beginning of the international break.

The Icelandic boss remarked that his side would be “playing against genocide” before the two met in Debrecen, Hungary, two weeks ago - a match that Ireland won 3-0. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu also withdrew from the Ireland squad over his beliefs concerns about the conflict in Palestine, and the Israeli FA took aim at Hallgrimsson’s comments in a fiery response on social media thereafter.

This match will take place behind closed doors in Serbia with the Irish FA moving the affair to a neutral location as a result of security concerns. Bazunu, the Bolton shot-stopper, has again withdrawn from the squad in a refusal to face Israel, while Hallgrimsson’s press conference was halted abruptly. Keep up to date with all the latest from the TSC Arena with our live blog below.

Republic of Ireland vs Israel latest news

Live updates

Story so far

So, what’s happened?

Ireland boss Heimir Halgrimsson lit the fire with his controversial comments ahead of the pair’s first meeting two weeks ago.

He remarked that his side would be “playing against genocide” when they met Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, a match that Ireland won 3-0 in the end.

Gavin Bazunu, the Ireland goalkeeper, withdrew from the squad over his beliefs and concern over the Palestine conflict, and the Israeli FA responded angrily to Halgrimsson’s comments.

PA

How to watch

Coverage of the match in Ireland looks set to mirror last week, when RTE’s stripped-back approach included no studio presentation, pundits, dedicated RTE commentator or half-time analysis, with the commentary taken instead from the international feed.

Their broadcast began 10 minutes before kick-off at 7:35pm BST on RTE 2, which is again the case on Sunday.

A minimal technical team will again be deployed, with RTE not taking any advertising or sponsorship around either game.

As with the first match, live coverage of the Republic of Ireland vs Israel is also available via Amazon Prime Video’s pay-per-view service, at a cost of £2.49. That broadcast also begins at 7:35pm on Sunday night.

Hello and welcome

... to Standard Sport’s live coverage of the Republic of Ireland vs Israel in the Nations League.

There has been tension aplenty in the build-up to this fixture, from press conferences to public statements, all relating back to the conflict in Gaza.

Keep up to date with all the updates with our live blog, with kick off from Serbia at 7.45pm BST.