Uncertainty over Ireland vs Israel Nations League game after training and news conference delayed

The Republic of Ireland's men's football news conference and a scheduled training session ahead of their controversial Nations League match against Israel have both been delayed.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player were due to address the media this morning, but 15 minutes before the press conference was due to start a UEFA official announced that it had been postponed.

It was then later announced that the team would be 20 minutes late for their training session - due to start at 11am local time - ahead of the match in Debrecen, Hungary. But as of midday the team had not arrived at the Nagyerdei Stadium.

UEFA officials were unsure of the reason behind the delays, but players had announced they would hold a meeting on Friday to discuss the situation.

Reports claimed a player statement would be released before the news conference, amid speculation that a player had refused to play in the match.

Speaking after the Republic's 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina on Thursday, midfielder Jason Knight had said: "Look, it's difficult.

"I don't think the game obviously 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.

"I'm quite experienced. 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 and do.

"I'll try and focus on the football as much as I can. I'll give my view and my thoughts on it [the Israel game] when I see fit, but I'll be trying to focus on the football as much as possible."

If the Republic team refuse to play the game, due to kick-off at 7.45pm on Sunday, they can be subject to warnings or fines from UEFA.

Ireland has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's war in Gaza.

There have been numerous protests in the country calling for the team not to fulfil the fixtures with Israel after the teams were drawn together in February.

In November, Football Association of Ireland (FAI) members voted for its board to request that UEFA suspend Israel from European competitions.

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But a motion in favour of going ahead with the fixtures was passed at an FAI meeting in July.

All of Israel's home games are scheduled to take place in Debrecen. Ireland also moved their home fixture - on 4 October - to Serbia, where the game will be played behind closed doors.

Last week, Hallgrimsson used the word "genocide" in a news conference. The Israeli FA responded by calling his remarks stupid and ignorant.

Israel has strongly rejected any allegations of genocide during the conflict.

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