Ireland postpones training and media conference before Israel match

The Republic of Ireland has postponed its pre-match news conference and training session before Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary. No new time has been confirmed for either session.

The conference was initially delayed until after training. A UEFA official later told waiting media that training had also been postponed, without providing a new schedule.

The fixture has drawn calls for Ireland to withdraw amid the Israel-Gaza war. The “Stop The Game” campaign, organised by Irish Sport for Palestine, has urged a boycott. Former manager Brian Kerr and former international James McClean have also backed the calls.

Ireland’s players met on Friday to discuss the matches. A player statement had been expected at Saturday’s conference, but reports that a player wanted to withdraw from the squad have not been confirmed.

The conference was subsequently reported to be moving from the stadium to the team hotel, though arrangements remained unclear. UEFA was unable to provide an explanation for the postponements.

Ireland are scheduled to play Israel on Sunday, with the return fixture set for 4 October in Bačka Topola, Serbia.