Bangladesh, Sept. 28 -- The Republic of Ireland's Nations League meeting with Israel had nearly unravelled before a ball was kicked.

Advertisement Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad in protest, the players spent four hours debating whether to play, and a "significant majority" eventually voted to go ahead, according to Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell.

When they did, they made their unease visible.

Ireland's players wore black armbands, there was no pre-match handshake or exchange of pennants, and Irish staff turned away from the pitch during the Irish anthem while the players bowed their heads during Israel's. The armbands were worn "in recognition of all the lives lost in the conflict", Coure...