Football NewsBBC SportUnverified source· 24 Sept 2026
Ogbene asks public not to pressure Ireland players over Israel games
Ireland's stand-in skipper says footballers shouldn't be the ones making the call on a politically charged fixture.
C. Ogbene
player
Player
Chiedozie Ogbene
Team
Republic of Ireland
First game
Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary
Return game
4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia
What happened. Republic of Ireland winger Chiedozie Ogbene urged the public not to "put the pressure on us" over calls to boycott the Nations League games against Israel. The sides meet in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday and again in Backa Topola, Serbia on 4 October, with no Irish fans at either match.
- A 'Stop The Game' campaign has gathered pace in Ireland since the Group B3 draw.
- Stand-in captain Dara O'Shea said the squad would meet on Friday to discuss their approach.
- Ogbene spoke after Thursday's 1-0 defeat by Kosovo in Pristina.
“I hope people don't put the pressure on us to be answering difficult situations.”
— Chiedozie Ogbene
The Ireland squad is set to discuss its stance before Sunday's behind-closed-doors fixture in Hungary.
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