Ireland players wear black armbands and refrain from handshakes in soccer game against Israel
DEBRECEN, Hungary -- There were no handshakes between Ireland and Israel players before their contentious Nations League match on Sunday, with the Irish team wearing black armbands for its 3-0 victory. The game faced bitter opposition in Ireland over Israel’s actions in Gaza with the players coming under huge pressure to boycott two matches against Israel. Reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazuno decided Saturday to leave the squad for both games because of what he said was his “personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.”
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article reports that the Irish team wore black armbands but never says why. The FAI said the armbands were worn in recognition of the lives lost in Gaza. Without this, a reader sees a silent gesture with no stated meaning.
How we know
- BBC News reported“Republic of Ireland players intend to wear black armbands "in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict"”Republic of Ireland to wear black armbands for Israel game (opens in a new tab)
- GB News reported“in recognition of all lives lost in [Gaza] conflict”Ireland to wear black armbands against Israel 'in recognition of all lives lost in Gaza conflict' (opens in a new tab)
Left out here: Leaves out who was behind it
AP describes "bitter opposition in Ireland" and "huge pressure to boycott" without naming the Stop The Game campaign run by Irish Sport for Palestine, or the former Ireland figures who backed it.
How we know
- BBC News reported“a "Stop The Game" campaign - organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine - gathering pace”Republic of Ireland to wear black armbands for Israel game (opens in a new tab)
The Irish players looked down at the grass with their heads bowed and hands behind their backs during the playing of the Israeli national anthem, and Irish captain Dara O’Shea approached the center of the field for the pre-match talk with his hands still firmly clasped behind his back. O’Shea shook hands with the referee and his assistants but there was no attempt to shake the hand of Israel captain Manor Solomon. There was a small group of Israeli fans in the otherwise almost-empty stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, but an even smaller group of around 10 people without colors were celebrating when Troy Parrott broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.
There weren’t supposed to be any Irish fans present. Some Ireland supporters who managed to get tickets through the Israeli soccer federation told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that those had been canceled Saturday night. Adam Idah made it 2-0 three minutes after Parrott’s opener and Jack Moylan got the third goal in the 25th. Popular Reads Doctor stabbed to death while sleeping; wife wounded, kids escape unharmed 1 day ago White House orders over $800M in funds rescinded Sep 26 Cindy Crawford's son Presley Gerber dies at 27 Sep 21 Ireland needed goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher at his best to deny Israel after the break, and tempers became frayed around the hour mark after a clash between Idah and Raz Shlomo.
Both players were booked by German referee Harm Osmers. Israel forward Sayed Abu Farchi was suspended for the game after his sending off following his goal-celebration in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Austria. Ireland and Israel meet again on Oct. 4 in Ireland’s “home” game in Backa Topola, Serbia. ___ See AP’s full soccer coverage here
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