Ward would support players over Israel concerns

Republic of Ireland women’s manager Carla Ward said she would be “supportive” of her players if they had concerns over facing Israel.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Republic of Ireland men’s side were drawn with Israel in the Nations League, along with Austria and Kosovo, last week.

In November, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) overwhelmingly approved a motion to call on Uefa to ban Israel from European club and international competitions, but it will fulfil the Nations League fixtures on 27 September and 4 October.

In a statement following the draw, the FAI said it had consulted with Uefa and that sanctions for not fulfilling a fixture could lead to disqualification from the Nations League.

Ward said it was “a very difficult situation for all” and that if her squad faced the same issue, she would listen to any potential concerns from players.

“I support my players in all their decisions, football and non-football,” she said.

“Personal lives and politically, whatever they feel, I would usually sit down and have those conversations behind closed doors and we come to a solution.

“Like I said, I’m supportive of all the players in everything they do.”

Ward said she would leave the FAI to answer questions on the Israel fixture and her job, and that of Hallgrimsson’s, was to focus on the football.

“I’m big on open-door policy and open communication with my players. I always have been, no matter what the subject is, and I will continue to do so.

“I like to think I help players in a way to make them feel as comfortable as possible.

Ward also spoke about Katie McCabe’s future at Arsenal after it emerged she is set to leave the club in the summer when her contract expires.

McCabe, who joined Arsenal as a teenager in 2015, has won every major honour in her time in north London, including the Champions League and Club World Cup in the past 12 months.

Ward said that the 30-year-old is “one of the best left-backs in the world” and that she had discussed the future with her captain.

“I think she will have a lot of options and I think a lot of people will want to speak to her and want her signature,” said Ward.

“The beauty of it is when you are one of the best in the world you will not be short of options.

“Wherever she moves, in my opinion, it will be a top club getting a very top player.”

The Republic of Ireland open their World Cup qualifying campaign at home to France on 3 March and also take on the Netherlands and Poland in League A2.

Ward said the goal was to finish in the top three in the group, which would mean a first-round play-off against a League C side.

“We can’t get ahead of ourselves and say winning the group or being in the top two is where we should be,” Ward added.

“I’m always upbeat, and we have a real opportunity to test ourselves against the very, very best.