Ireland players skip handshakes before Nations League win over Israel
Republic of Ireland players did not shake hands with the Israeli team before their Nations League match on Sunday night, a game Ireland went on to win.
Before a UEFA Nations League fixture played on Sunday night, Republic of Ireland players opted not to take part in the customary pre-match handshake with their Israeli counterparts. The handshake between opposing teams is typically regarded as a routine part of pre-match protocol and a gesture of sporting courtesy in international football.
On this occasion, the Ireland squad declined to take part in the ritual. The moment drew attention precisely because the pre-match handshake has long been viewed as an informal but recognised element of football etiquette between competing sides. No official explanation for the decision was made public.
Result of the match
Despite the unusual scene before kick-off, the match proceeded as scheduled, and Ireland ultimately came away with a win. The fixture formed part of the UEFA Nations League, a competition in which European national teams face one another across several tiers based on past performance.
Under the Nations League format, teams play a series of matches against other European sides, with results in each round affecting their standing within their respective league group. With this victory, Ireland continues its participation in the tournament, though further details of the match itself were not provided in the available reporting.
Instances of teams forgoing the traditional pre-match greeting are uncommon in international football, which is why the gesture attracted wider attention regardless of the eventual outcome on the pitch.
