09/26/26 05:04:00
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09/26 05:03 CDT Ireland press conference before Israel games delayed as
pressure to boycott grows
Ireland press conference before Israel games delayed as pressure to boycott
grows
DEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) --- The Ireland team's press conference the day before
the first of its Nations League games against Israel has been delayed as
pressure to boycott the matches grows.
Journalists in Debrecen, Hungary --- where Israel's "home" game is to be played
Sunday --- were left waiting Saturday after being told the press conference was
being pushed back until after training. That was 15 minutes before it was
supposed to begin.
Training was also delayed, however, with Irish broadcaster RT reporting the
players were still in their hotel when it was supposed to begin.
The team has been coming under increasing pressure in Ireland, where affinity
with Palestinians is strong, to boycott the two games --- the first on Sunday
and the second, Ireland's "home" game, in Backa Topola, Serbia on Oct. 4.
Ireland midfielder Jason Knight said after Thursday's 1-0 loss in Kosovo that
the players were in a difficult situation and that he didn't think the matches
should be going ahead.
Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson previously said "we're not playing with
genocide, we're playing against genocide. We're playing against Israel, we're
not playing with Israel" --- drawing a furious reaction from the Israeli soccer
federation, which accused the Icelandic coach of "stupidity, ignorance and
hypocrisy."
The Football Association of Ireland had resisted calls to boycott the matches,
arguing the team could be hit be punishing sanctions by UEFA. Ireland is
co-hosting the 2028 European Championship with England, Wales and Scotland.
More than 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter urging the FAI to
reconsider its decision to go ahead with the fixtures.
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