Boycott pressure grows as Ireland delays preparations for Nations League game against Israel

Ireland are due to play Israel in the Nations League in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday amid rising boycott calls at home. Saturday’s news conference and training were pushed back; RTE said players were still at the hotel more than two hours after training was due and that some did not want to play. A second match is set for Backa Topola, Serbia, on October 4. Midfielder Jason Knight said after Thursday’s 1-0 loss in Kosovo that the games should not go ahead.