Israel to wear black armbands against Ireland, three days before October 7

Hours before kick-off on Sunday, the Israeli Football Association announced that its players will wear black armbands against Ireland in the Nations League return leg, “in memory of those murdered on October 7, 2023”. The attacks killed 1,221 people according to official figures, and the match comes three days before their anniversary.

“UEFA has approved the Israel Football Association’s request for the national team to wear black armbands in tonight’s match against @IrelandFootball in memory of those murdered in the October 7 massacre”, the federation wrote on its X account.

A return leg under strain

Israel now wears the armbands Ireland wore in the first leg on 27 September: a 3-0 Irish win in Hungary, with black armbands then carried to protest against the war in Gaza. That evening had already turned sour: heads bowed during the Israeli anthem, no handshake between the captains, the match stopped twice, first by tennis balls in Palestinian colours thrown onto the pitch, then by a pitch invasion.

On Saturday, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson’s press conference was cut short after questions from Israeli journalists. Israel captain Manor Solomon had warned before the rematch: “The next match against them is going to be completely different.”

On the pitch, Ireland lead the market

The Gradski Stadion in Serbia hosts the return leg behind closed doors. Ireland, third in Group C with 4 points, are favourites against an Israeli side that has taken one point from three matches. Israel’s win price, offered at 3.75 on the opening market, traded at 4.40 on Sunday afternoon with Betano. Our match preview covers the reading of the game and the selected bet.