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Ireland players wear black armbands, skip handshakes with Israel team

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 4, 2026, 7:07 PM

Last updated Oct 4, 2026

Ireland players wear black armbands, skip handshakes with Israel team

Summary

In a Nations League match held on October 4, 2026, Ireland players wore black armbands and bowed during the Israeli national anthem. The Irish side's goalkeeper, Caoimhín Kelleher, serving as captain, declined to shake hands with Israel's captain, a gesture mirrored by Dara O'Shea in their prior meeting. The match, moved to a neutral venue in Serbia amid protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, was played without fans present. Israeli players also donned black armbands in remembrance of those lost in recent attacks. Both teams are under scrutiny amid heightened tensions surrounding the fixtures.

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By the Numbers

•Ireland wore black armbands in tribute during the national anthem.
•Kelleher refused to shake hands with Israel's captain before the match.
•The match was relocated to Serbia due to calls for a boycott.
•Israeli players also wore black armbands in memory of victims.
•The game took place without any spectators present.

Latest Updates

7:07 PMYahoo Sports — Ireland soccer players again wear black armbands and refuse handshakes with Israel team

What they're saying

"
BACKA TOPOLA, Serbia (AP) — Ireland players again wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before the teams’ second Nations League soccer match on Sunday.The Israeli players also wore black armbands in memory of the people killed in the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct.
— Yahoo Sports

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