Israel captain Manor Solomon speaks out about the surprising defeat to the Republic of Ireland in an eye-opening interview
Israel’s captain Manor Solomon didn’t hold back in a surprising interview after a very controversial match against the Republic of Ireland.
Ireland won 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday, amid strong calls to boycott the game. Late in the day, it came out that Ireland’s goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had chosen to sit out the match, explaining in a statement that he was protesting the “atrocities in the region” and his belief that “the killing of innocent people is wrong.” The Irish players wore black armbands during the game, and when Jack Moylan scored the third goal, he kissed his armband.
Before the game, there were no handshakes, and the Irish team bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem as a sign of protest against the Gaza conflict. Solomon, the Israeli captain, and Ireland’s Dara O’Shea didn’t shake hands or exchange pennants after the coin toss either.
After the game, Solomon criticized Ireland in an interview where he said he might get banned if he shared his full thoughts. He reportedly had a heated moment with Everton’s Jake O’Brien during the match. Speaking to Israeli TV, he said, “They said nonsense during the game, I don’t want to comment on them. If I say what I think, I’ll probably be banned. Of course, they don’t like us, and we don’t like them. I’m already looking forward to the next game against them—it will be very different. About how they handled the anthem? I’m not interested. We have a country that’s ten times better and stronger, with amazing people. I’m proud to wear the national team’s uniform and be Israeli. I’m proud of our country and soldiers. We are Israelis, we love our country, and winning is what matters.”
The match at Nagyerdei Stadion also brought attention to Southampton’s Finn Azaz, who has played 15 times for Ireland but has Israeli heritage through his mother. Azaz said his grandmother was a general in the Israeli army and that he could have played for Israel but chose Ireland because his dad is from Cork.
One news outlet said the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) might consider letting Azaz retire from the national team due to the situation, while another said he gave a passionate speech. Azaz didn’t play in the game, but the Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said it was because he wasn’t fit enough, although he wanted to play. “I thought he wasn’t ready to play. It was my decision, but we’ve supported him all along,” Hallgrimsson said.