Everton defender Jake O’Brien reportedly confronted Israel captain Manor Solomon over Gaza following the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 Nations League victory on Sunday.
Israeli outlet Sport5 claims O’Brien shouted towards the West Ham winger from the dressing-room area as Solomon made his way to a post-match interview.
O’Brien reportedly confronted Solomon after Ireland win
According to the report, O’Brien shouted: “Shame on you for what you’re doing in Gaza. You deserve to lose.”
Solomon is reported to have responded: “Come out, be a man. Don’t talk behind a wall.”
The exchange hasn’t been independently confirmed, and neither O’Brien nor the Football Association of Ireland has publicly verified the words attributed to the Everton defender.
Solomon did, however, acknowledge tensions with the Ireland players in his post-match interview. He said “they said stupid things” during the game and claimed that if he revealed everything he thought about the Irish players, he would probably be suspended.
The Israel captain also said: “Obviously they hate us. We don’t like them.”
O’Brien played full 90 minutes in Ireland win
The reported confrontation followed a Nations League fixture surrounded by controversy over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
As we reported after Sunday’s game, Ireland’s players wore black armbands, bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem and didn’t exchange the customary pre-match handshakes with their opponents.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had withdrawn from the squad before the game, saying his decision was based on his belief that “the killing of innocent people is wrong”. Ireland’s remaining players held lengthy discussions before a majority voted to fulfil the fixture.
O’Brien subsequently played the full 90 minutes as Ireland won 3-0 through goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan.
Ireland and Israel are scheduled to meet again on 4 October in Serbia, with the game to be played behind closed doors.
O’Brien’s involvement means an already controversial international break has now produced another Everton talking point, although the words attributed to him remain based on the Sport5 report rather than confirmation from the player himself.
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