Republic of Ireland register outfield player as goalkeeper after Gavin Bazunu boycotts Israel game
The Republic of Ireland have registered defender Jimmy Dunne as a third-choice goalkeeper for their Nations League clash against Israel after Gavin Bazunu decided to boycott the match.
Bazunu will not take part in his country's Nations League fixture against Israel in protest against “atrocities in the region”.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who plays his club football for Bolton Wanderers, explained in a post on Instagram that his decision was based on personal principles regarding the killing of innocent people.
He also clarified that his stance is not opposed to Israeli or Jewish people.
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READ MORE: Jason Knight breaks ranks over Israel fixture as players hold emergency talks
Following Bazunu's withdrawal from the squad, Ireland have complied with UEFA rules by naming centre-back Jimmy Dunne as a third goalkeeper alongside Caoimhin Kelleher and Max O'Leary.
Gavin Bazunu releases statement on decision to withdraw from Republic of Ireland squad
There have been widespread calls for the Republic of Ireland to boycott the fixtures over the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza, with the ‘Stop The Game’ campaign gaining support.
As mentioned above, Bazunu took to Instagram after informing manager Heimir Hallgrímsson that he no longer wished to be part of the squad to face Israel at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen.
“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," he wrote.
"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 upon 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 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.”
"Ultimately, within the last 90 minutes we carried out a squad vote on fulfilling the fixtures. A significant majority [to play] was the result. The association took the decision to fulfill these fixtures."
Israel FA accuses Ireland manager of ‘ignorance and hypocrisy’ after genocide comment
Ahead of the international break, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted that "none of us feel comfortable playing in these games".
Asked how his players can focus on the fixtures amid the calls to boycott, Hallgrimsson added: "We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide. We're playing against Israel, we're not playing with Israel."
On Monday (September 21), the Israeli FA accused Hallgrimsson of “stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy”
Taking to social media, they wrote: “We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way.
“Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach. We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.”
No Irish fans will be in attendance for the ‘away’ fixture, which is set to take place in Debrecen on Sunday (September 27). The return fixture will take place in Backa Topola, Serbia, on October 4.
Topics: Republic of Ireland, UEFA Nations League
Jack Kenmare