Ireland players vote by significant majority to play Israel Nations League match

A significant majority of Republic of Ireland players voted on Saturday to fulfil Sunday's Nations League match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary. FAI chief executive David Courell told a delayed press conference that the association took the decision on behalf of Irish football based on the vote, saying it had always intended to fulfil the fixtures. Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed one player withdrew from the squad after a change of mind that morning. Talks among players, staff and FAI officials at the team hotel led to multiple postponements of the scheduled press conference and training. Hallgrimsson said nobody is comfortable at the moment and that it is about limiting the disadvantage both personally and for Irish football, adding there is no action everyone will agree to. Courell said the vote returned a significant majority with the intention to continue. Ireland lost 1-0 to Kosovo on Thursday. Its designated home match on October 4 was moved from Dublin's Aviva Stadium to Backa Topola, Serbia. Reports identifying the withdrawn player as goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu were not officially confirmed. Kickoff is 20.45 Dutch time.