Republic of Ireland news conference delayed before Israel game

The Republic of Ireland's pre-match news conference, scheduled ahead of their UEFA Nations League game against Israel, has been delayed. Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad were set to meet the media in Debrecen, but UEFA officials informed reporters that the session was postponed.

Shortly after that update, it was confirmed that the team's training session was also delayed, with no new time provided for either event. There are reports that the news conference may now be held at the team hotel instead of the stadium.

The fixture has faced intense scrutiny due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. A campaign titled "Stop The Game," backed by figures such as former manager Brian Kerr and ex-international James McClean, has called for a boycott of the matches in Hungary and Serbia.

The players held a team meeting on Friday to discuss the situation. While they were expected to release a statement on Saturday, the latest delays have added to the uncertainty. Media reports suggest that at least one player has expressed a desire to withdraw from the squad.