Ireland name outfield player Dunne as goalkeeper after Bazunu refuses to face Israel

Republic of Ireland defender Jimmy Dunne has been named as a goalkeeper in the squad for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel in Debrecen after Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the match on moral grounds, leaving manager Heimir Hallgrímsson with only two recognised shot-stoppers.

Bazunu, 24, confirmed his withdrawal in a statement on Instagram, writing that while representing Ireland “means everything” to him, he felt it “would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.” He was careful to clarify that his stance was “not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region.”

With Caoimhín Kelleher and Max O’Leary the only remaining goalkeepers in the squad, UEFA regulations required a third to be named for administrative purposes. The Football Association of Ireland turned to Dunne — who did not feature in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat in Kosovo — with the 28-year-old listed alongside Kelleher and O’Leary in the official 23-man squad.

Bazunu’s decision sent shockwaves through the Irish camp over the weekend. A planned training session and press conference were both delayed on Saturday as some of his team-mates considered joining a boycott. Former Ireland manager Brian Kerr reported that a squad vote ultimately came down 14 in favour of playing to eight against.

The FAI subsequently confirmed the match would go ahead. “The Association made this decision following consultation with the Republic of Ireland players who shared different views and a majority expressed that the fixtures should be played,” a statement read, adding that the FAI “respects the views of all players involved.”

Bazunu, who described the decision as one of the rare moments in life “to stand up for something bigger”, stressed it was not taken lightly and was rooted in personal faith and principle rather than any opposition to his team-mates, the manager, or the Irish public.