Ireland’s national soccer players bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before their match against Israel in Serbia on Sunday, repeating a protest staged during the teams’ previous meeting.
As “Hatikva” played before kickoff, the Irish players lowered their heads rather than standing in the customary manner for the anthem.
Ireland players bow heads during Israeli anthem
(Photo: Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
The same protest took place during the previous match between the teams in Debrecen. On that occasion, the Irish players also declined to shake hands with their Israeli counterparts, skipped the traditional exchange of pennants and bowed their heads during the anthem, while some substitutes stood with their backs to the field.
There had been widespread calls in Ireland to boycott Sunday’s match, but the Irish Football Association decided the team would take part.
During Ireland’s home match against Austria on Thursday, Irish fans threw tennis balls in the colors of the Palestinian flag onto the field, forcing play to be halted for several minutes. A pro-Palestinian demonstration was also held before the match.
Ireland chose to stage its match against Israel in Serbia without spectators, officially citing “operational challenges.” The decision came amid widespread protests against Israel in Ireland.
Israel’s players, meanwhile, took the field wearing black armbands in memory of the victims of the Oct. 7 massacre. UEFA had earlier approved a request from Israel Football Association chairman Shino Zoaretz to hold the tribute, three days before the memorial day marking the massacre.
The Israeli request also followed the teams’ previous meeting, when Ireland’s players wore black armbands in memory of “all victims of the conflict.” This time, Israel asked that its tribute be dedicated specifically to the Israeli victims of Oct. 7, a request UEFA approved.