Israel 'tried to intimidate' Irish amid spitting row - Hallgrimsson
Summary
The Republic of Ireland and Israel played a tense soccer match in the Uefa Nations League that ended 1-1. There were allegations that an Israeli player spat at an Irish team member during the game, which both teams are reviewing. The Irish coach said Israel tried to intimidate his players, while the Israeli coach denied seeing any spitting and said their players played aggressively but not personally against the Irish.Key Facts
- The match was played behind closed doors in Serbia.
- The Republic of Ireland’s head of athletic performance, Damien Doyle, said he was spat at by an Israeli player.
- A voice on TV could be heard saying “he spat on me” as players went down the tunnel at halftime.
- Ireland’s head coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, said Israel tried to intimidate his team from the start.
- Israel’s coach, Ran Ben-Shimon, said he did not see any spitting and called their aggression part of the game, not personal.
- The game was part of a Uefa Nations League group that has been tense due to political issues linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
- The Irish Football Association is also investigating claims of racial abuse toward Irish player Adam Idah by Israel fans.
- The controversial fixtures have drawn pressure campaigns calling for Ireland to withdraw from the matches.
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