The Republic of Ireland and Israel players did not shake hands with each other before Sunday’s controversial Uefa Nations League game in Hungary.<\/p>\n
After walking on to the pitch at Nagyerdei Stadion, the Republic of Ireland squad stood for their national anthem and appeared to bow their heads before Israel’s anthem. <\/p>\n
Following the anthems, the two teams did not line up for the traditional handshakes.<\/p>\n
There was also no exchange of pennants between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O’Shea and Israel skipper Manor Solomon, who did not shake hands. <\/p>\n
The fixtures have been embroiled in controversy since February when the two teams were drawn to play each other in Group B3.<\/p>\n
The Republic of Ireland players have faced calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war<\/a> with a “Stop The Game” campaign – organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine – gathering pace.<\/p>\n However, the players voted to fulfil the fixture during a lengthy meeting at the team’s hotel in Debrecen on Saturday.<\/p>\n Later on Saturday, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu confirmed he had withdrawn from the squad, saying he felt it “would be wrong to participate” in Sunday’s game and the return fixture in Serbia on 4 October.<\/p>\n