OTB Football

Monday’s Football Daily with Phil Egan has the latest from Ireland’s controversial Nations League trip to Hungary — with the FAI reviewing video evidence after allegations Adam Idah was racially abused by Israeli fans, and the fallout from a week dominated by boycott calls.
Hear Paul Cooke’s fiery defence of the association’s handling of the fixture, as well as Heimir Hallgrímsson on Gavin Bazunu’s withdrawal, the squad’s wellbeing, and why the whole situation felt “lose-lose” despite a 3-0 win.
Plus, Shelbourne lift the Women’s FAI Cup, Katie McCabe faces Arsenal with Chelsea, injury updates across the Premier League, and Matt Slater explains how Man City’s financial breaches translated into an on-pitch edge.
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FAI president Paul Cooke faces the media after Ireland’s Nations League game with Israel — and Off The Ball Breakfast plays his full, combative exchange in full.

Cooke insists the decision to fulfil the fixture was “football democracy”, hits out at the coverage around the camp, and is repeatedly pressed on sanctions, player consultation and what would’ve happened if the squad had voted not to play.

Matthew Brennan and Dara Smith-Naughton dig into the messy fallout: the Gavin Bazunu situation, the divisiveness of a player vote, the lack of clear FAI leadership, and how much damage this week may have done to the team’s bond with the public.
With Amazon.ie, Irish brands at local prices. Start your search at our dedicated and curated ‘Brands of Ireland’ section
Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app.
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Off The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball

Two people who witnessed a chaotic, unprecedented weekend for Irish football join Colm Boohig & Enda Coll; OTB's Ben Symes and John Fallon of the Irish Examiner, speaking from Hungary after Ireland’s Nations League match against Israel.

They react to FAI president Paul Cook’s combative post-match comments, the reported player vote on whether to fulfil the fixture, and the sense of a split camp — with eight players believed to have voted against playing.

The lads also describe the eerie atmosphere inside the near-empty stadium, the pre-match protests, and disturbing reports of racist chanting.

Plus: what happens next with Gavin Bazunu, and what to expect in Dublin on Thursday.
With Amazon.ie, Irish brands at local prices. Start your search at our dedicated and curated ‘Brands of Ireland’ section
Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app.
SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join
Off The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball

Stephen Doyle was alongside Olivia O'Toole for our live and exclusive commentary of the Club Orange Women's FAI Cup Final at Tallaght Stadium earlier today.

Stephen spoke to captain Pearl Slattery, manager Sean Russell, teenage superstar Halle Harcourt and Goalkeeper Mya Sanchez as the Reds celebrated their 3rd FAI Cup victory in 5 seasons

The League of Ireland on Off The Ball

Ben Symes is live in Debrecen for a special breaking news edition of The Green Scene, as the Republic of Ireland’s build-up to Israel descends into chaos.
With Matthew Brennan and David Wilson, Ben pieces together a tumbling timeline: the delayed press conference, reports of a player vote, and the confirmation that Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from the squad on personal grounds.
The lads react to the competing statements, the decision-making vacuum at the top of the FAI, and the pressure dumped on players and staff as kick-off approaches.
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