Ireland soccer players again wear black armbands and refuse handshakes with Israel team
Ireland players have again worn black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before the teams’ second Nations League soccer match to protest Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Israeli players also wore black armbands on Sunday in memory of the people killed in the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher stepped in as captain for Dara O’Shea, who was excused to be with his wife for the birth of their child. Kelleher pointedly avoided shaking hands with Israel captain Dor Peretz, despite completing the usual pre-match formality with the referee and one of his assistants. Sunday’s game was initially supposed to be played in Dublin but is being played in Serbia with no fans present.
