Tensions with Israeli journalists: the Republic of Ireland manager’s press conference interrupted

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson's press conference in Serbia on the eve of the match against Israel was cut short after fresh tensions with Israeli journalists over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ireland have long supported the Palestinian cause and this autumn's two meetings with Israel in the Nations League, have already triggered several controversies.

Last Sunday, the first meeting went ahead as scheduled in Debrecen, Hungary, after Irish players threatened to boycott the match in protest at the war waged by Israel in Gaza. Israel could not host the game on their own territory because of the security situation. Ireland won 3-0. During the match, the Irish players wore black armbands and conspicuously bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem. Before kick-off, the captains did not exchange pennants or handshakes.

For the return match, scheduled for this evening in Backa Topola, Serbia, the Irish federation refused to host the game at home for security reasons. It was the pre-match press conference of the Ireland head coach that then sparked fresh tensions. According to Afptv footage, trouble started when a journalist questioned Heimir Hallgrimsson, the Icelandic coach in charge of Ireland, about the attack that took place on Wednesday on a Flydubai flight bound for Israel from the Emirates, described as a "terrorist act" by the Emirati and Israeli authorities. "What do you think of the people you support? Their ideology is based on murder. Just this week, one of them tried to kill 170 Israeli passengers," the journalist said in English, whose identity it has not been possible to establish at this stage. "Today we will not answer this type of question. We will answer only football questions," a press officer immediately replied. Later in the day, Israel head coach Ran Ben Shimon said he was not "dealing with politics" when he also appeared before the media. "I want the team to improve significantly from a tactical point of view and in their approach to the match. And that is my only priority. I will not answer anything that does not concern football at this time," the manager added. The Israeli authorities had harshly criticised the initiatives of the Ireland national team. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar had accused Dublin of being "on the wrong side of history".