There continues to be a lot of reporting about the match between Israel and Ireland, held on Sunday night in Debrecen, Hungary. Israel was home, and suffered a 3:0 defeat. The match was part of the UEFA Nations League. In the group with Israel and Ireland are also Kosovo and Austria. Kosovo plays its next match against Israel in Debrecen, on Thursday at 20:45.
Ireland's players were under great pressure before the match with Israel. They were asked to boycott the two matches with Israel in support of the Palestinian people. But the Irish decided to play, while protesting in various ways.
They did not shake hands with the Israeli players, stood with their heads down during the Israeli anthem, and wore black armbands.
The Sun has reported on a post-match debate between players, citing what journalists reported. It is about the debate between Ireland's Jake O'Brien and Israel's Manor Solomon.
Solomon plays for West Ham in England.
According to what "The Sun" writes, O'Brien addressed the Israeli player: "Shame on you for what you are doing in Gaza. You deserve to lose."
Solomon replied: "Come out here, be a man. Don't talk behind the wall. It's a shame the match wasn't played in Israel, you would understand how the best place in the world is."
Former Fulham and Tottenham player Solomon said that if he openly expressed his true feelings about Ireland and its team, he would be suspended.
"They said some stupid things during the game. I don't want to comment on them. If I say what I think about them, I'll probably get suspended for a few games. So I don't want to say it. Of course they hate us and we don't like them. I'm looking forward to the next game against them. It'll be completely different," Solomon said.
The 27-year-old Solomon also spoke about Ireland's players keeping their heads down during the Israeli anthem.
"What they did during the anthem? I don't care about them. We have a country that is ten times better than theirs, stronger. A wonderful country with wonderful people. And we are proud to wear the national team jersey and to be Israelis. We are proud of our country and our soldiers. They can do anything. We are Israelis and we love our country. Victory is what will happen."
The match between Ireland and Israel is to be played next Sunday in Baçka Topola, Serbia. UEFA has given the Irish several options for hosting the match with Israel on neutral ground. But all of them were in Serbia.
Ireland players have decided not to declare for the matches with Israel.
