Heimir Hallgrimsson confirms Republic of Ireland will play second Israel fixture

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says the team's second Uefa Nations League game against Israel will go ahead as planned.

Hallgrimsson's side beat Israel 3-0 in Hungary on Sunday after the Republic of Ireland players voted to fulfil the fixture.

They have faced calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, with the 'Stop The Game' campaign - organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine - issuing an open letter this week calling for the Republic of Ireland to pull out of Sunday's behind-closed-doors match in Serbia.

However, speaking before Thursday's game against Austria in Dublin, Hallgrimsson said the Republic of Ireland will fulfil the second Israel fixture and that he is not aware of a squad meeting to decide whether to play the game.

"The FAI (Football Association of Ireland) has said we are playing both games. That was our intention when we came into the camp and it is still our intention," said Hallgrimsson.

"We are trying to focus on the football. It is already decided we will fulfil the games."

On Saturday, doubts emerged over whether the first Israel game would take place after the Republic of Ireland's pre-match news conference was postponed because of a squad meeting.

When the news conference commenced more than five hours later than planned, FAI chief executive David Courell said a players' vote on whether to play the game passed by a "significant majority".

While fulfilling the game, the Republic of Ireland players did not engage in pre-match formalities, wore black armbands and bowed their heads during Israel's national anthem.

The Republic of Ireland's most recent home game - a friendly against Qatar in May - was interrupted when fans threw tennis balls featuring the Palestine flag on to the pitch.

When asked about potential protests during Thursday's encounter with Austria, Hallgrimsson said: "I must focus on football. I will let others think about security and those things.

"We are playing Austria, the highest-ranked team in the group. I'm not going to allow outside noise to affect me focusing on football."

On Saturday, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for both Israel games, saying he felt it "would be wrong to participate".

With Bazunu having returned to training before the Austria match, Hallgrimsson praised the Bolton player and the rest of his squad while hitting out at "lies" that had been reported regarding the goalkeeper's decision.

"Gavin is a great lad. I've always had a good relationship with him and it's probably more tough for him than the other players, but they have really welcomed him," said Hallgrimsson, who confirmed Luton keeper Josh Keeley will take Bazunu's place in the squad for the second Israel game.

"There's been a lot of lies said around all of this, but we welcome him back and he's taken part, amazing.

"I think it shows his character, as well, to be with us, so I want to give him praise for that. I want to give the players praise for how welcome they have been with him.

"Life goes on. He is a part of this group and I think that shows how strong the bond is between these players that even a thing like this is not breaking us."