Republic of Ireland players to discuss staging protest before playing Israel

The Republic of Ireland squad will come together and discuss whether to stage a protest before playing Israel this weekend in the first of two controversial Uefa Nations League games, captain Dara O'Shea has said.

Ireland will play Israel in Hungary on Sunday amid calls back home for the team to boycott the fixtures , with campaigners staging a "Stop the Game" protest outside the team's hotel in Dublin earlier this week.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) wrote to Uefa last year calling for the suspension of the Israel Football Association due to the conflict in Gaza, but its members voted to fulfil the fixtures due to the risk of sporting sanctions.

The Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson was then criticised by the Israel FA this week after he said they would be "playing against genocide", adding that "none of us feel comfortable playing in these games".