‘Don’t put pressure on us’ over Israel games – Ogbene

Republic of Ireland winger Chiedozie Ogbene has urged the public not to pressure players regarding boycott calls for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel. The team is scheduled to play Israel on Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary, followed by a match on October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia, amid a public campaign in Ireland calling for a boycott.

Speaking after Ireland's 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina, Ogbene stated that decision-making should not fall on footballers. Stand-in captain Dara O'Shea confirmed the squad would meet on Friday to discuss their approach, while manager Heimir Hallgrimsson's side aims to rebound after conceding an 83rd-minute goal to Kosovo's Vedat Muriqi.