Republic of Ireland: Heimir Hallgrimsson calls on UEFA to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future after tense draw

Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel in a behind-closed-doors contest in Serbia; there were allegations of spitting by an Israeli player at half-time, while the Israeli government criticised the Irish players for bowing their heads during the national anthem

Monday 5 October 2026 09:03, UK

Heimir Hallgrimsson has called on UEFA to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future.

The Ireland boss was speaking following his side's 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw with Israel behind closed doors in Serbia.

The games between the two nations this international break were overshadowed by politics , with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) urged to boycott the internationals amid ongoing conflict in the Israel-Gaza War.

This continued in Serbia, as Ireland fitness coach Damien Doyle was allegedly spat on by an Israeli player at half-time, according to reports in the stadium.

Irish media reported that the incident took place as the teams went down the tunnel. Ireland boss Hallgrimsson confirmed there was an allegation, but he admitted he didn't see it and declined to comment further on it.

However, when asked if the two countries should be playing each other again, he told RTE Sport : "No, they shouldn't. That's not ours to decide - that's UEFA who decides that. Obviously, there's a big support for Palestine in Ireland. There's not many countries that support Palestine as much as Ireland does.

"I wouldn't wish any national team to go through what we've gone through in these two weeks, so maybe UEFA just needs to step in and do something."

News has contacted UEFA for comment .

Israeli Government accuses ROI of 'moral blindness'

The Israeli Government have accused the Ireland football team of "moral blindness" for bowing their heads during their national anthem.

For the second time in a week, the Irish players, coaching team and FAI all bowed their heads while the Israeli national anthem was played pre-match.

The official Israeli Government X account posted: "While some use the football field as their political theatre, for us this is personal.

"1939: Irish players raised their arms in salute to Nazi Germany.

"2026: Irish players bowed their heads during Israel's anthem.

"Different generations. The same moral blindness.

"Today, Israel's players wear black armbands to remember those brutally massacred by Hamas on October 7 - including former professional footballer Lior Asulin.

"Some of us have skin in the game. Others just make a show of it."

News has contacted the FAI for comment.

Two Israeli journalists banned for post-match press conferences

Meanwhile, prior to the match, UEFA confirmed that two Israeli journalists were banned from the post-match press conferences, after Saturday's pre-match Ireland press conference descended into chaos .

The media access for Ireland was cut short after an Israeli journalist alleged that Israeli players had claimed Irish players had racially abused them during the match in Hungary last weekend.

The journalist alleged that a derogatory term had been used, which has chosen not to repeat. The term is not associated with antisemitic or anti-Israeli abuse.

An Irish press officer refuted the allegation, saying: "That's completely untrue," before bringing the news conference to a premature close.

After the press conference ended abruptly, Serbian police were called following an allegation of assault by an Israeli journalist, who said a microphone had been taken from them by an FAI press officer.

News understands that no further action was taken by police.

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