The Republic of Ireland’s news conference ahead of Sunday’s Nations League match against Israel ended abruptly Saturday when a journalist asked coach Heimir Hallgrimsson about alleged racism by Irish players.
According to the source, an Israeli journalist alleged that Irish players made racist comments during last week’s match. Football Association of Ireland communications manager Kieran Crowley immediately rejected the allegation, stating: “That’s completely untrue.” The news conference was then terminated.
Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 last Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary, but only after Irish players voted on whether to proceed with the game amid widespread opposition in Ireland over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Players wore black armbands during that match. The FAI was investigating whether Ireland’s Adam Idah and James Abankwah experienced racial abuse during the game, with a small number of Israel supporters in attendance.
Sunday’s return fixture—where Ireland is designated the “home” team—will be held in Backa Topola, Serbia, without spectators present. The FAI relocated the match to a neutral venue for “operational reasons” in June following calls for a boycott in Ireland. The FAI has resisted boycott pressure, arguing the team could face UEFA sanctions. Ireland is co-hosting the 2028 European Championship with England, Wales and Scotland.
In June, the FAI itself had passed a motion calling on UEFA to ban Israel from club and international competitions.
Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said at his own press conference that he is keeping his focus on football rather than politics. “My opinion is that I need to keep my players focused on the game,” he stated. “I didn’t let anything, any emotion about it, to penetrate our squad. I want my players to come to the game with the football knowledge and the solutions for what’s going on on the pitch.”
The upcoming match reflects broader tensions surrounding the fixture. On Thursday, Ireland’s game against Austria in Dublin was briefly interrupted when protesters threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags onto the pitch.
The FAI’s position balances competing pressures: domestic opposition to playing Israel, calls for boycotts, and institutional constraints from UEFA that could penalize non-participation in scheduled matches.
Key facts
- Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 last Sunday, with Irish players voting beforehand on whether to proceed
- An Israeli journalist alleged Irish players made racist comments; the FAI denied the claim and ended the press conference
- Sunday’s match will be held in Serbia without fans, relocated from Ireland for “operational reasons”
- The FAI previously passed a motion calling on UEFA to ban Israel from competitions
- Ireland is co-hosting the 2028 European Championship, which constrains its ability to boycott