Republic of Ireland vs Israel LIVE: Nations League result, latest updates and reaction

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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 Bazunu, the Bolton shot-stopper, has again withdrawn from the squad in a refusal to face Israel, while Hallgrimsson’s press conference was halted abruptly.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

FAI president in attendance

Paul Cooke, the FAI president, is at the TSC Arena for this game.

Behind closed doors

A reminder that today’s game is behind closed doors, so there is not a spectator in sight at the TSC Arena in Serbia, creating an eerie atmosphere inside the 4,500 capacity venue.

Kick off

The game is underway. No handshakes, heads bowed again from the Irish players during the Israeli anthem.

UEFA to manage post-match media

UEFA officials will manage both post-match press conferences for both Ireland and Israel in Serbia.

It is believed that neither of the Israeli journalists who disrupted the pre-match briefings will be present at the press conferences this evening.

Solomon's statement

Israel captain Manor Solomon was enraged with the Ireland players after the first game in Hungary.

"They don't interest me,” the West Ham winger said.

“We have a country ten times better than theirs, stronger, an amazing country with amazing people. We are proud to wear the team shirt and to be Israelis. We are proud of our state and of our soldiers. They can play all their tricks.

"If I say what I think of them, I'd likely be suspended for a few matches... Obviously they hate us. We don't like them."

AFP/Getty

The press conference

Hallgrimsson’s pre-match press conference was certainly a tension-heightener, when it was stopped abruptly yesterday.

The Icelandic boss was asked by an Israeli reporter for his thoughts on an incident earlier in the week where an airline passenger reportedly tried to breach the cockpit of a FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Hallgrimsson refused to engage in non-footballing geopolitical safety questions.

A second reporter then counter-alleged that it was the Irish players who had hurled racist slurs at Israeli players on the pitch during the match in Hungary.

FAI communications director Kieran Crowley stepped in immediately, declaring the accusation "completely untrue" and "a lie".

When the journalist refused to return the floor microphone to moderators and continued heckling, Crowley signaled an abrupt end to the briefing, prompting Hallgrimsson to walk out.

PA

Hallgrimsson issues Ireland update

Heimir Hallgrimsson confirms that Dara O’Shea misses out, with Jimmy Dunne replacing him.

Finn Azaz is on the bench due to fitness concerns.

Israel to wear black armbands

The Israeli FA confirmed ahead of this match that UEFA had accepted their request to sport black armbands for this match, to commemorate those lost in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

No O'Shea for Ireland

Dara O’Shea does not feature in the Irish squad tonight, but that’s not a political decision.

He pulled out of the squad with his wife set to give birth ahead of this game.

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Israel lineup

Israel XI: Tzur; Feingold, Nachimas, Stoinov, Revivo; Peretz, Peretz, Azoulay; Gloukh, Abada, Turgeman

Subs: Eliasi, Baribo, Farhi, Dasa, Gandelman, Glazer, Kanichowsky, Levi, Mizrahi, Shua, Solomon