Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed that his squad will move forward with their second UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel, dismissing speculation of a potential boycott.

Pressure surrounding the fixtures has intensified due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Advocacy groups, including the Irish Sport for Palestine campaign, recently issued open letters urging the national team to abandon the matches and withdraw entirely. Despite these calls, Hallgrimsson emphasized that the Football Association of Ireland has maintained a consistent stance throughout the campaign.

The upcoming fixture follows a decisive 3-0 victory over Israel in Hungary on Sunday. That match had faced significant uncertainty just hours before kickoff when a mandatory pre-match news conference was delayed by more than five hours to allow the squad to hold a private meeting. FAI chief executive David Courell later confirmed that the players ultimately voted by a substantial majority to fulfill the fixture.

During Sunday's encounter, the Irish players opted against traditional pre-match pleasantries, instead wearing black armbands and lowering their heads during the Israeli national anthem. The team has also navigated internal squad adjustments amidst the tense environment. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu stepped aside from the first two Israel fixtures, stating he felt participation was wrong, though he has since returned to training ahead of an upcoming match against Austria.

Hallgrimsson praised Bazunu's character following his temporary absence and commended the squad for supporting their teammate. The manager also addressed the situation surrounding midfielder Finn Azaz, whose mother is of Israeli descent, noting the player's exemplary composure throughout the controversy.

Looking ahead to the second match against Israel, which is scheduled to take place behind closed doors in Serbia, Hallgrimsson stated that he remains focused strictly on athletic preparation. He indicated that security and administrative decisions will be handled by officials, allowing the team to concentrate on their performance on the pitch.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.