“Significant majority” of players vote to go ahead with gamepublished at 19:08 BST
19:08 BST
Israel v Republic of Ireland (19:45 BST)
As mentioned, there appeared to be real doubt on Saturday morning whether this fixture would take place.
A pre-match news conference with Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player, scheduled for 09:15 BST, was postponed just 15 minutes before it was scheduled to start, with reporters informed it would instead take place after the team’s training session which was also delayed.
The players were locked in a meeting back at their hotel after it emerged goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, withdrew from the game in protest with several other expressing their concerns about playing.
About 13:00, players began to filter out of the meeting room, with it then confirmed the news conference would indeed go ahead, back at Nagyerdei Stadion at 14:30, with training to follow.
More than five hours after the initial news conference was scheduled to begin, FAI chief executive David Courell – flanked by Hallgrimsson and FAI director of football John Martin – confirmed a players’ vote passed by a “significant majority” to play the game.
“This morning, a player expressed their discomfort at the fixture and indicated their intent to withdraw,” Courell said.
“This new variable required time for the rest of the squad to consider and what proceeded was another four hours of conversations, predominantly among the players, but also at times with coaching staff and the [FAI] executive.
“There were a lot of positions presented and the association is fully respectful of everyone’s right to their respective opinion.”
Image source, Inpho