Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from his country’s Nations League fixtures against Israel, saying his decision was based on his personal belief that “the killing of innocent people is wrong.”

The Bolton goalkeeper told his teammates and manager Heimir Hallgrimsson of his decision on Saturday, after expressing discomfort about participating in the fixtures.

“Representing my country means everything to me,” Bazunu said in a statement posted on Instagram. “However, I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly.

“I am a man of strong faith, and try my best to be a person of character and principle, therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.

“My decision is based purely on my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.”

Bazunu said his position was not directed against Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against “the atrocities in the region.”

“There are a few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger, and I strongly believe that this is one of them,” he added.

Ireland subsequently named defender Jimmy Dunne as one of two reserve goalkeepers for Sunday’s match in Debrecen, Hungary, after Bazunu’s withdrawal.

UEFA rules require teams to register three goalkeepers for Nations League matches, prompting Dunne’s positional switch for the fixture.

Earlier on Saturday, Ireland’s players had spent hours discussing whether to fulfil the match after Bazunu’s decision. The squad eventually voted by a significant majority to continue with the fixture.

FAI chief executive David Courell said the players held about four hours of discussions on Saturday, following a two-hour meeting the previous day.

“This morning, a player expressed their discomfort with fulfilling this fixture to the head coach, and indicated their intent to withdraw from the squad,” Courell said.

“Ultimately, within maybe the last 90 minutes, we carried out a vote amongst the squad to establish their sentiment on fulfilling the fixtures and it was a significant majority that was returned with the intention to continue.”

Ireland will wear black armbands in recognition of lives lost in the conflict and will not take part in the pre-match handshake or pennant exchange.

The players have also asked to withdraw from media duties for the remainder of the international window.

Ireland, which has been among the more outspoken European critics of Israel’s war in Gaza, will face Israel again on October 4 in a fixture moved to Backa Topola, Serbia, and scheduled to be played behind closed doors.

The sides were drawn together in the Nations League in February, with the fixtures subsequently becoming the subject of protests in Ireland and wider political debate.