Israeli team condemns Irish boycott, vows handshake despite player vote

Irish players voted by a 65% margin to refuse handshakes and flag exchanges with Israel ahead of a UEFA Nations League match, prompting a five-hour delay in their media briefing. At a subsequent press conference in Nagyerdei Stadion, Israel's manager Ran Ben-Shimon and vice-captain Dor Peretz, preceded by communications chief Shlomi Barzel, criticised the boycott as a politicisation of football and praised the Irish FA for eventually recognising the issue.

The Israeli side also announced a formal complaint to UEFA, contesting the two yellow cards given to Sayed Abu Farkhi in a recent Austria game, claiming the celebration was a harmless snooker reference to Ken Doherty. Peretz affirmed that Israeli players will still offer handshakes during the match and the rematch in Backa Topola. He added that foreigners often misunderstand Israel's reality and encouraged critics to visit the country. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between sport and political activism.