Bazunu withdraws from Republic of Ireland's Nations League match against Israel on moral grounds

Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for their UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel, scheduled for Sunday in Hungary, releasing a personal statement in which the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper explained that participating would conflict with his conscience and principles.

The match had already been thrown into uncertainty on Saturday after Ireland delayed their pre-match training session and press conference amid reports that players were weighing a boycott of the fixture. The Football Association of Ireland subsequently confirmed the game would proceed following a vote among the squad, with a majority in favour of fulfilling the fixture.

“Representing my country means everything to me,” Bazunu wrote. “I have the utmost respect for every single one of my team-mates, the Manager, his staff and the Irish people. However I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith and try my best to be a person of character and principle therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.”

The goalkeeper was careful to frame his stance as a humanitarian rather than political position. “My decision is based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong,” he said. “It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region. There are few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger and I strongly believe that this is one of them.”

A UN-commissioned inquiry previously found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. More than 73,000 people have been killed following Israeli military action launched in response to the Hamas attack on the Nova Festival in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people.

The FAI acknowledged the divisions within the squad in its statement confirming the match would go ahead. “The association respects the views of all players involved and appreciates the level of sensitivity concerning these fixtures,” it read.