West Brom man plays in controversial Ireland win over Israel amid handshake refusal and bowed heads

Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby featured for Republic of Ireland in a controversial Nations League international match against Israel.

The group stage fixture finished 3-0 in favour of Ireland but the clash, held in Debrecen in eastern Hungary, was shrouded in controversy due to Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu boycotted the tie on Sunday evening and there were crisis talks between players and officials throughout Saturday, with training delayed.

Republic of Ireland FA chief executive David Courell confirmed there had been a vote of a ‘significant majority’ among the squad for the match to go ahead, which resulted in a backlash from sections of supporters.

There was rising pressure from fan campaign ‘Stop the Game’, organised by the group ‘Irish Sport for Palestine’.

Molumby played 88 minutes for Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side, who scored their three goals in the first half in the behind closed doors clash. Baggies goalkeeper Max O’Leary was an unused substitute.

It had been confirmed in June the fixture would be played without fans at a neutral location, rather than Ireland’s Aviva Stadium in Dublin, due to “operational challenges”.

Ireland’s captain Dara O’Shea, the former Albion defender and academy graduate, refused to shake hands with his Israel counterpart Manor Solomon before the clash. The Irish players were booed by a small number of Israel fans when they emerged to warm up. Some Ireland supporters were also spotted inside the stadium.

The entire Boys in Green starting line-up bowed their heads at the Israel national anthem ahead of kick-off.

Ireland’s Jack Moylan scored his nation’s third goal and removed his black armband and kissed it before kissing his country’s badge.

The return Nations League fixture also takes place during this break, later this week on October 4, in the Serbian town of Backa Topola.

"It has been so difficult for so many players," Hallgrimsson told broadcaster RTE after the game.

"I hope that will not be in the next game because they have shown support to the protest, they have raised awareness worldwide, not only in Ireland, on the subject and that is normally the reason for protesting, to raise awareness of a situation.”

Meanwhile, Albion attacker Tammer Bany won his second cap for Jordan as a late substitute in a 1-1 friendly draw against Syria.

Bany, 22, had played just 10 minutes from the bench for his nation this season and is yet to start a match for Albion more than 18 months after moving for £3.4million.

Defender Chris Mepham played 90 minutes and picked up a caution in Wales’ 2-0 defeat to Denmark in Copenhagen.