Ireland postpone press conference and delay training amid Israel boycott talk

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ireland-Gfyqk1aG/israel-rqK1ypob/?mid=2ySQv2E6"]The game has been ‌under the spotlight[/a] since the sides were drawn ‌together in February, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ireland/Gfyqk1aG/"]Ireland[/a] one of Europe's most ‌outspoken critics of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/israel/rqK1ypob/"]Israel[/a]'s war in Gaza.[/p][p][b]There have ‌been numerous protests in Ireland asking for the team not to fulfil the fixtures with Israel.[/b][/p][p]Ireland were due to hold ‌the press conference on Saturday, but ⁠shortly before the scheduled ‌start at 10:15 CET, reporters were informed ​that this would now take place following the team's training session at the stadium in ​Debrecen.[/p][p]That was due to commence at 11:00 CET, but two hours later the Ireland team were ⁠still inside their ​hotel.[/p][embed guid="c95aeafc-02b8-48cd-9cc7-550bd90123a7" url="https://x.com/dllambo/status/2103816969002889636?s=46" social-type="twitter" /][p]Ahead of Ireland's opening Group B3 game away to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kosovo/v1DTPQwI/"]Kosovo[/a], which they lost 1-0, captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/o-shea-dara/4ETEZJ7p/"]Dara O'Shea[/a] told reporters that the players would meet on Friday to discuss ‌a plan of action for the game against Israel.[/p][p]Football Association of Ireland (FAI) members voted in November for its board to request that UEFA suspend Israel from European competitions, but a motion in favour of proceeding with the fixtures was passed at an FAI EGM in July.[/p][p]All of Israel's home games are scheduled to take place in Debrecen, and Ireland moved their ‌home fixture, set for October 4th, to Serbia. That ​game will be played behind closed doors.[/p][p]Tensions increased ‌further when Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson used the word [b]"genocide"[/b] in a press conference last weekend. The Israeli FA responded by calling his remarks stupid and ignorant.[/p][p]Israel's assault on Gaza has been described as ⁠genocide by UN experts ⁠and rights organisations, ‌an allegation Israel strongly rejects.[/p][infobox id="5a8fbd57-e97c-4bdc-9f6b-fb0fb254e893" /]