Manor Solomon on Ireland Clash: Mutual Dislike Amid Nations League Tensions
Manor Solomon, captain of the Israel national team, spoke out about the controversial match against Ireland in the second round of the UEFA Nations League. The former Shakhtar player reacted to the fact that the Irish players refused to shake hands with their opponents and showed disrespect during the Israeli national anthem amid the events in Gaza.
“They were saying nonsense to us during the game, and I don’t want to talk about them. If I say what I really think, I’ll probably be suspended for several matches, so I’d rather not say. Of course, they hate us, and we don’t like them either.
I’m already looking forward to the next match against them; it will be completely different. What they did with the anthem? I don’t care about that. We have a country that is ten times better, stronger, an amazing country with amazing people. We are proud to wear the national team jersey and to be Israelis. We are proud of our country and our soldiers. The Irish can use whatever tricks they want. We are Israelis and love our country. And that will always be the case.
We will do everything to make sure the match against Kosovo looks completely different. There are still four games left this season, and this is not the end. I believe in myself, I know who I am here with, I know the players and the team, we will get out of this and take revenge for it,” Solomon said candidly.