The Republic of Ireland have named Queens Park Rangers defender Jimmy Dunne as a goalkeeper for their UEFA Nations League clash with Israel on Sunday evening, after Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad in protest over the conflict in Gaza.
Unusual squad change
Dunne, 28, has spent his entire career as a centre-half, but has been listed as a goalkeeper due to UEFA rules stating that three goalkeepers must be registered in each Nations League squad. With Caoimhin Kelleher and Max O'Leary operating as first and second choice keepers, Dunne is expected to remain on the bench.
The Bolton Wanderers shot stopper Bazunu made his decision in an act of protest, with Israel currently in conflict with Palestine. Announcing his decision on Instagram, Bazunu said: "My decision is based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong," adding: "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."
Players vote on boycott
The change comes after Ireland players cast a vote on whether to play against Israel, considering the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Football Association of Ireland CEO David Courell said: "The squad were in Pristina yesterday. An extensive conversation took place where ultimately the consensus from the group was to travel to Hungary.
"That was something that we all entered into this window with our intention to fulfil these fixtures and that was the consensus that the group finished on at the end of that two-hour meeting yesterday. This morning a player (now confirmed to be Bazunu) expressed their discomfort with fulfilling this fixture to the head coach and indicated their intent to withdraw from the squad."
Courell added: "What proceeded was another four hours of conversations, predominantly amongst the players themselves but also at times with the coaching staff and at times with the executive. There was a lot of positions presented and I think it's important to say that from an association perspective and for everyone involved in those conversations, we were fully respectful of everyone's right to their respective opinion on these topics.
"Ultimately within the last maybe 90 minutes we carried out a vote amongst the squad to establish their sentiment on fulfilling the fixtures and it was a significant majority that was returned with the intention to continue."
Match details and gestures
The clash will take place at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Hungary at 7.45pm on Sunday, with Israel unable to play their matches in their homeland due to their ongoing war. Ireland will wear black armbands as a sign of recognition to the lives lost in Gaza, with Courell explaining that further gestures will be made before kick-off.
He added: "With the players, it was clear that they felt uncomfortable in this environment dealing with all of the respective questions that were coming to them that were not about football. So, one of their requests is to effectively remove their media obligations for the remainder of the window.
"They also have the intention of wearing black armbands in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict. And also there will be elements of the pre-match ceremony that will not be partaken in by the Republic of Ireland."
Courell also confirmed: "It is the intention of players and the association to make a significant contribution to charitable donation by virtue of both match fees, but also revenue generated from the Austria fixture in the Aviva later this week."
