UEFA has approved the Israel Football Association's request, and Israel's national team will take the field against Ireland on Sunday evening wearing black armbands in memory of those murdered in the October 7 massacre.
The request was submitted by the association's chairman, Shino Zuaretz. The Nations League match will be played at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, three days before the third anniversary of the massacre. Kickoff is at 9:45 p.m. Israel time.
The gesture answers what happened a week ago. In the first meeting between the teams, in Debrecen, Hungary, Ireland's players wore black armbands that the Irish association said were in recognition of "all lives lost in the conflict." They also refused to shake hands with the Israeli players and bowed their heads during Hatikvah. Ireland won that match 3-0.
Israel asked to hold its own tribute to the Israeli victims, with the anniversary days away.
Under UEFA's rules, black armbands are reserved for universally recognized tragedies, periods of national mourning or the death of prominent football figures, and require prior approval.
Tonight's game is formally Ireland's home fixture, moved to a neutral venue in Serbia and played behind closed doors. Ireland had come under heavy pressure at home to boycott both matches, and its players voted to play. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from both legs.
For Israel the match also matters on the field. After last week's defeat, another loss would leave the team at the bottom of its group and close to relegation to the lower tier.
