During a pre-match news conference on Saturday, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson abruptly ended the session after reporters asked about alleged racism by Irish players during their previous match against Israel. The conference was cut short when FAI head of communications Kieran Crowley intervened and called the allegations "completely untrue." The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions related to a recent campaign protesting Israeli sporting events in light of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-03,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Saturday, during a pre-match news conference for the Republic of Ireland's UEFA Nations League match against Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia, tensions escalated when an Israeli journalist asked questions unrelated to football. The journalist inquired about alleged racist comments made by Irish players and the Flydubai flight incident involving a co-pilot attempting a terrorist act. This prompted Kieran Crowley, communications manager for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), to intervene and deny the allegations, stating they were "completely untrue." The confrontational tone led the press conference to abruptly end.
The match was moved to Serbia due to security concerns in Ireland and follows the contentious first game where Irish players wore black armbands and did not shake hands with their Israeli counterparts. Previously, some Irish players had voted on whether to play the match amidst protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. The FAI faced calls for a boycott but resisted, fearing potential UEFA sanctions if they canceled.
The incident highlights ongoing political tensions between Ireland and Israel over the conflict in Gaza, with supporters of both sides expressing strong views about the games' implications.
Written for “Ireland vs Israel Nations League Cont…” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 15 other(s) covering the same event.
For more than 11 minutes of Saturday's pre-match news conference, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson fielded questions centred on Sunday's Nations League Group B3 'home' game against Israel in Serbia.
asserted
Hallgrimsson → field → Serbia
The Icelander revealed that Dara O'Shea - captain in place of the injured Nathan Collins - was not with the squad, as his wife was due to give birth.
asserted
wife → reveal → birth
He may arrive back in Backa Topola prior to Sunday's 19:45 BST kick-off.
uncertain
He → arrive → off
Hallgrimsson also gave his thoughts on the strain of this four-game international window and reflected on Thursday's 2-2 draw against Austria.
asserted
Hallgrimsson → give → Austria
As the first section of the media conference, which is allowed to be broadcast live, was ending, the mood soured.
asserted
mood → allow → conference
One reporter tried to quiz Hallgrimsson on his thoughts about the incident on Wednesday when a co-pilot attacked a pilot on a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, before passengers managed to overpower the attacker and successfully take control of the plane.
asserted
passengers → try → plane
The Republic of Ireland manager was also asked by another journalist about alleged racism by Irish players during last Sunday's 3-0 win over Israel in Hungary and refused to give up the microphone.
asserted
manager → ask → microphone
Promptly, the news conference was brought to a close by Football Association of Ireland (FAI) head of communications Kieran Crowley after calling those allegations "completely untrue".
asserted
conference → bring → allegations
The allegations of racism by an Irish player comes after it was confirmed the FAI is investigating reports of racist abuse directed towards Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah by Israel fans in Debrecen.
asserted
FAI → come → Debrecen
Minutes before the news conference was brought to an abrupt halt, Hallgrimsson insisted he would not be drawn on either matter and would not "get involved in that as others will process that".
asserted
others → bring → that
"It is a game with a lot of emotions attached," Hallgrimsson said.
"
asserted
Hallgrimsson → attach → emotions
I haven't read anything and it's not something I want to get involved with.
asserted
I → read → anything
It goes to a process, both in our department and with Uefa.
asserted
It → go → Uefa
"Something was reported by both teams so I just hope we can focus on football and football will be the winner after this.
asserted
football → report → this
"I have not gone into details looking at this as I have enough to think about."
asserted
I → go → enough
The Republic of Ireland boss revealed the team have taken to a group prayer before leaving the dressing room before recent games "just to cool our heads before we go on to the pitch" and said that has been led by midfielder Conor Coventry whom he joked is now known within the squad as "Brother Coventry".
It has been a challenging international window for the Republic of Ireland with the Israel double-header dominating discourse in Irish football.
Since the teams were drawn together in February, a 'Stop The Game' campaign was launched by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine to boycott the fixtures in protest of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.
asserted
campaign → reveal → war
Before last week's 'home' game for Israel in Hungary, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the fixtures, saying "it would be wrong to participate" while a vote by players to play the games passed by a "significant majority", according to FAI chief executive David Courell.
uncertain
vote → withdraw → Courell
There were protests during the game against Austria in Dublin on Thursday, with tennis balls thrown on to the pitch and a protester briefly interrupting the game when he ran on to the turf, waving a Palestine flag.
asserted
he → be → flag
Hallgrimmson said under the circumstances, it will be a "a big win for this group and the association if we go through undamaged".
asserted
we → say → group
"The most pleasing thing for me is to see the togetherness and how they stand up for each other.
asserted
they → see → other
Whatever they have done, they have done it with respect to the situation, to each other and after this, this bond of brothers will be stronger than ever.
asserted
bond → do → brothers
All the obstacles this group will face in the future will be lesser than it is.
asserted
it → face → future
"When we look back, this camp will be a moment we grew the most and stepped up as leaders, supported each other and stuck together.
asserted
we → look → other
The Aporia
