Hallgrimsson explains Azaz absence from Israel matches after difficult Ireland window

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has explained why Finn Azaz was left out of both Nations League matches against Israel, saying the midfielder had faced particular emotional strain during the international window. According to BBC Sport, Hallgrimsson felt the Southampton player was not ready to take part in Sunday's 1-1 draw in Serbia.

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Azaz, 26, has family connections to Israel through his mother. Hallgrimsson said the squad's decision to wear black armbands and lower their heads during the Israeli national anthem had been especially difficult for him. The manager credited Azaz for remaining with the group and demonstrating his commitment to the Republic of Ireland team throughout the window.

The midfielder had played the full 90 minutes in Thursday's 2-2 home draw against Austria and suffered a minor knock, Hallgrimsson said. But the manager also cited the mental demands of the preceding days when explaining his selection decision. Azaz was an unused substitute against Israel on Sunday, having also missed the earlier meeting between the sides.

Asked about Azaz's international future, Hallgrimsson expressed hope that he would continue and said there was no indication he intended to quit. He pointed to the player's presence in the squad as evidence of his desire to remain involved, including for the 2028 European Championship finals. Those remarks reflected the manager's assessment rather than a fresh statement from Azaz himself.

The two fixtures against Israel took place amid calls for a boycott from Irish Sport for Palestine over the Israel-Gaza war. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for those matches because he considered participation wrong, BBC Sport reported. Ireland won the first encounter 3-0 in Debrecen before Sunday's return match was played behind closed doors in Backa Topola.

The draw brought Ireland's four-match window to an end with five points from a possible 12. Only one of those matches was played on Irish soil, and the squad travelled about 5,000 miles. Hallgrimsson said the fortnight had taken a toll on the group, praised the players' response to difficult circumstances and expressed relief that the window was over.