Hallgrimsson faced selection issues for controversial Israel game

ROI players voted to go ahead but will wear black armbands ‘in recognition of all lives lost’ in the Gaza conflict

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The sides faced off at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, after the Star went to press in front of a limited number of Israel fans for the Israelis’ “home” clash after Republic players voted to honour the fixture following a four-hour summit at the team hotel on Saturday.

Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell said that a player — understood at the time of going to print to be Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu — had been withdrawn from the squad before the match but the team voted with a majority in favour of playing. However they did state that they would wear the black armbands during the “away” game against Israel in Debrecen as well as further gestures for the return “home” fixture against Israel next Sunday in Serbia.

Saturday’s emergency meeting was called after the FAI said one player had told Hallgrimsson of his intent to withdraw from the squad on Saturday morning, and later confirmed his stance in an Instagram post.

“We need to find out where the mind space of the players is, where the mindset is,” Hallgrimsson said on Saturday.

“We are playing here and I need to find out who is ready to play, who is uncomfortable. It’s a lot still to discuss. We would like to play a good match.”

Asked directly if players’ reluctance could impact selection, the Republic boss said: “That would be for every game. If some player is not ready for one reason or another, you don’t want to field him.

“Also it’s just the feeling of each and every one, how he feels about playing. That’s a discussion not taken still from me, but definitely from now on we will need to check on players’ welfare.

“Number one, how they are feeling, and how they feel playing [on Sunday]. If there is one that is more ready, that is a discussion I need [to have].”

Bazunu’s statement, shared on Saturday night, read: “Representing my country means everything to me. 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.

“My decision is based purely on my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.

“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 a 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.”

Hallgrimsson had previously told members of the Irish media he spoke to all of his players individually about their feelings towards the two Israel fixtures.

On Saturday, he conceded that he “called all the outfield players.” He added: “It’s not my connection, talking to the goalkeepers. I leave that to others, but all the players knew what we were going into.”

Courell insisted the FAI had “engaged quite extensively” with players over the summer, but admitted: “People can change. People’s sentiment on the subject may strengthen, and I think you can all agree this is pretty fast-moving and dynamic.

“I know you would like a real straight-line answer about how we got here, but you also need to accept that we need to adapt to each and every scenario that we are presented with.”

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