Ireland name defender as goalkeeper in bizarre move ahead of reluctant Nations League clash with Israel

Ireland have found themselves in a remarkably unusual situation ahead of their Nations League meeting with Israel, with QPR defender Jimmy Dunne being listed as a goalkeeper after Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad.Bazunu's decision came after a day of lengthy discussions within the Ireland camp over whether the fixture should go ahead at all. The team eventually voted by a “significant majority” to play, but Bazunu decided he could not take part, saying his personal beliefs meant he felt it would be wrong to participate in the matches against Israel.That left Ireland needing another goalkeeper on the squad list, and Dunne, who normally plays at centre-back for QPR, was the rather unexpected solution. UEFA's squad listing now includes him alongside Caoimhín Kelleher and Max O'LearyBazunu pulls out after players spend hours discussing the fixtureThe Ireland camp had already been under considerable pressure in the build-up to the match, with calls in Ireland for the team to boycott the two Nations League fixtures against Israel.The first meeting is being played in Debrecen, Hungary, with Ireland's other fixture against Israel scheduled for October 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. The controversy surrounding the games has been linked to Israel's military actions in Gaza and the wider political debate around whether Israel should be taking part in international football.Things became particularly tense on Saturday when Ireland's scheduled training session and press conference were delayed by more than five hours while the players discussed whether they should fulfil the fixture.FAI chief executive David Courell said one player had told manager Heimir Hallgrímsson that they were uncomfortable taking part and intended to withdraw from the squad.“What proceeded was another four hours of conversations, predominantly amongst the players themselves, but also at times with the coaching staff and the executive,” Courell said.“Ultimately we carried out a vote amongst the squad ... and it was a significant majority that was returned with the intention to continue.”The player was later confirmed as Bazunu, who explained his decision in a statement posted on Instagram.“Representing my country means everything to me. I have the utmost respect for every single one of my teammates, the manager, his staff, and the Irish people,” Bazunu said.“However, I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith, and try my best to be a person of character and principle, therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.”Bazunu said his decision was based on his personal belief that killing innocent people was wrong, while making clear that he did not intend his position to be directed at Israeli people or the Jewish community.“My decision is based purely on my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong,” he said.“It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against the atrocities in the region.”He added: “There are a few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger, and I strongly believe that this is one of them.”So Ireland turned a defender into a goalkeeperBazunu's withdrawal left Ireland needing to make a change to their squad, with UEFA regulations requiring three goalkeepers to be listed.The QPR defender is normally used at centre-back and has no regular role as a goalkeeper, but he has now been listed as Ireland's third goalkeeper for the match. UEFA's official squad list places Dunne at No.23 alongside Kelleher and O'Leary.It is an unusual sight for an international squad, but it gives Ireland the third goalkeeper required for the fixture after Bazunu's departure.Courell also confirmed that the players who remain with the squad had agreed to make several changes to the usual matchday routine as a way of showing their unease with the situation.Ireland intend to wear black armbands “in recognition of all the lives lost in the conflict”, while players will also refrain from parts of the normal pre-match ceremony, including the handshake and exchange of pennants.The squad have also decided to effectively remove their media obligations for the remainder of the international window, according to Courell.The FAI said there would also be significant charitable contributions connected to match fees and revenue from the Austria fixture.The match will go ahead despite the pressure around itFor all the uncertainty surrounding the fixture, Ireland's players ultimately decided that the match should be played.The vote followed several hours of discussion, with Courell saying a “significant majority” of the squad wanted to continue with the games. Hallgrímsson also confirmed that the fixture would go ahead, despite the withdrawal of one player.That means Ireland will face Israel in Debrecen, with Dunne now listed as one of the three goalkeepers and Bazunu watching from outside the squad.The second meeting between the teams will take place in Bačka Topola, Serbia, on October 4, with that fixture scheduled to be played behind closed doors. Bazunu has also made clear that his decision applies to the upcoming fixtures against Israel.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.