Israeli Player Accused of Spitting at Irish Staffer During Heated Nations League Clash
Damien Doyle accused an Israeli player of spitting at him as tensions spilled over in a 1-1 draw, and Hallgrímsson said a disciplinary committee may review it.
- Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said Israel 'tried to intimidate' his team from kick-off as the Republic drew 1-1 with Israel on Sunday in a UEFA Nations League match behind closed doors at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia.
- Political tensions over Israel's military campaign in Gaza prompted the Football Association of Ireland to relocate the fixture to neutral ground; Hallgrimsson sparked diplomatic controversy last month by saying his side were 'playing against genocide'.
- Troy Parrott's 39th-minute penalty gave Ireland the lead after Dor Peretz fouled Jimmy Dunne, but Peretz equalized two minutes after the break by kissing his black armband honoring October 7 victims.
- Tensions escalated at half-time when fitness coach Damien Doyle alleged an Israeli player spat at him, triggering a melee that required security intervention and a warning from referee Juan Martínez Munuera to 'be clever'.
- The draw leaves Ireland third in Group B3 with five points, three behind leaders Austria, as Hallgrimsson told reporters 'I'm absolutely delighted this is finished,' expressing hope no national team endures the toll of the past two weeks.
64 Articles
64 Articles
The United Nations League tied 1-1 in Serbia behind closed doors; the Palestinian cause divided positions
Both plants wore black bracelets: the Israelis for the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack and the Irish for the murders in Gaza. It was played behind closed doors in Serbia. The Irish team reissued their protest gestures and omitted the usual protocol greeting among the footballers.
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Israel: Heimir Hallgrimsson says Israel 'tried to intimidate us' amid spitting row
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says he felt Israel were "trying to intimidate" his team amid allegations of spitting during Sunday's Nations League draw.
Channel News Asia
PressNewsAgencyIreland and Israel end Nations League rivalry with ill-tempered stalemate
BACKA TOPOLA, Serbia, Oct 4 : Tempers flared again as Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 on Sunday in the second of their two UEFA Nations League meetings, concluding a fortnight dominated as much by political tensions as football.Ireland had faced calls from some supporters and politicians to boycott the fixtures b
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