FAI Confirms: Ireland's Nations League Fixtures With Israel Will Go Ahead
**Core answer** Cộng hòa Ireland sẽ thi đấu các trận Nations League gặp Israel sau khi đa số cầu thủ bỏ phiếu đồng ý ra sân, theo xác nhận của Hội Bóng đá Cộng hòa Ireland (FAI). Cuộc họp báo trước trận tại Debrecen bị hoãn đến chiều thứ Bảy nhưng trận đấu vẫn được tiến hành. **Key facts** - Đa số cầu thủ Cộng hòa Ireland bỏ phiếu ủng hộ thi đấu hai trận gặp Israel. - Cuộc họp báo tại Debrecen, Hungary bị hoãn đến chiều thứ Bảy cùng ngày. - FAI ra thông cáo sau khi tham khảo ý kiến các cầu thủ có quan điểm khác nhau. - Tiền vệ Jason Knight nói trận đấu “không nên diễn ra” nhưng vẫn tiếp tục. - Ireland để thua Kosovo 0-1 tại Pristina ở ngày khai mạc Nations League. **Nguồn** The Guardian / Thông cáo của Hội Bóng đá Cộng hòa Ireland (FAI). **Câu hỏi liên quan** Q: Vì sao các trận gặp Israel của Ireland bị đặt nghi vấn? A: Các cầu thủ cần bàn thảo về mức độ nhạy cảm của trận đấu, khiến cuộc họp báo trước trận bị hoãn. Q: Ai đã lên tiếng về tình hình này? A: Tiền vệ Jason Knight, sau thất bại 0-1 trước Kosovo. Q: Đội không hoàn thành nghĩa vụ thi đấu có thể chịu hình phạt nào? A: UEFA có thể đưa ra cảnh cáo hoặc xử phạt bằng tiền.
FAI CONFIRMS: IRELAND'S NATIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES WITH ISRAEL WILL GO AHEAD
The Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixtures with Israel will be played after players voted on Saturday in favour of taking the field, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed on Saturday afternoon.
The decision followed consultation with the Republic of Ireland players, who held differing views; a majority expressed that the fixtures should be played. A scheduled press conference before Sunday's first game — being played in Debrecen, Hungary — had been delayed until Saturday afternoon, raising doubts as to whether the match would be cancelled.
A group of players were believed to have held a meeting in the team hotel after missing the initial press conference, which was scheduled for 10.15am local time, and a training session at the Nagyerdei Stadium 45 minutes later.
UEFA officials were unsure of the reason behind the delay, though players had announced they would meet on Friday to discuss the situation. There were reports a player statement would be released before the originally scheduled press conference, and speculation on Saturday morning that a player had refused to play. Teams that do not meet their obligations can be subject to warnings or fines from UEFA.
The FAI statement read: “The Association made this decision following consultation with the Republic of Ireland players who shared different views and a majority expressed that the fixtures should be played. The Association respects the views of all players involved and appreciates the level of sensitivity concerning these fixtures.”
After Thursday's 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina that began the Republic's Nations League campaign, midfielder Jason Knight said: “It's difficult. I don't think the game should be going ahead, but it is going ahead. We'll have a deeper talk about it and what that means, we'll get our thoughts as a group and go from there.”
“None of us have gone through this scenario before, but I'd like to think I'm experienced, thick-skinned and I can get through most things and that is what I will try to do. I'll try to focus on the football as much as I can. I'll give my view and my thoughts on it when I see fit, but I'll be trying to focus on the football as much as possible.”
The first fixture is being played at a neutral venue in Hungary, with the Republic's squad still facing scrutiny over its internal handling of the situation in the days ahead.