Heimir Hallgrímsson’s press conference ahead of Ireland’s second Nations League fixture against Israel was abruptly cut short on Saturday morning after hostile questioning from Israeli journalists.

This weekend’s game, technically an Ireland “home” game, will take place behind closed doors at the neutral venue of Backa Topola, Serbia.

Recommended

The buildup to last weekend’s fixture in Debrecen produced one of the most dramatic days in Irish football history, as the Irish players voted to proceed after early uncertainty, before Hallgrímsson’s press conference descended into chaos.

Something similar has now occurred this week, with Hallgrímsson’s pre-match press conference abruptly cut short by FAI Press Officer Kieran Crowley amid hostile questioning from Israeli journalists.

The Ireland head coach was first asked about the hijacking incident onboard Flydubai Flight 1073 earlier this week, before an allegation of racism was made against Irish players from last weekend’s fixture.

That allegation was immediately denied by the FAI, with Crowley saying it was “completely untrue,” before the press conference was abruptly ended.

Footage of the incident has emerged, with Israeli reporter Moti Paschatzky alleging that Irish players had racially abused their opponents last week, before an FAI staff member attempted to retrieve the microphone from the journalist in question, as press officer Crowley refuted the allegation.

Crazy stuff yet again!

Credit where it’s due to the coms manager here for just ending the press conference!! https://t.co/W1YlouqooD pic.twitter.com/Q1dT4eCSeF

— Zaky (@AmirZaky11) October 3, 2026

The Israeli reporter continued to argue into the microphone as Hallgrímsson and Crowley left the room, saying, “This is a press conference. You invited us here. We can ask questions.”

Alternate footage of the incident has been shared by Israeli media online. The erroneous claim that FAI staff taking the microphone away from the journalist in question was a “disgraceful incident” is a serious stretch from what actually transpired in the room.

Disgraceful incident❗️

Absolutely shameful: during the press conference, an Irish FA official tried to snatch the microphone away from Moti Pashchatzky, an Israeli journalist, after he asked the Ireland coach about his players allegedly swearing at the Israeli players. pic.twitter.com/PZYnxDyy9u

— Sport5 (@sport5il) October 3, 2026

The full press conference can be viewed on the FAI’s YouTube channel here, with the video cutting shortly after the final question to Hallgrímsson.

Unusually, there was no UEFA delegate present for Ireland’s press conference, as is generally the custom.

Last weekend, Hallgrímsson had been asked whether he regretted using the word “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza; on his previous coaching work in Qatar; and on Ireland’s two friendlies against Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

During the Israeli team press conference later on Saturday, an Irish journalist asked for comment on the earlier allegation of racism against the Irish team.

Press officer Eitan Dotan responded by saying, “The only thing I want to say is that our players said the thrash talk was not like normal, not like any other match, We will think about that after the match. Maybe in a few days we will do research and maybe speak with UEFA.”

Manager Ran Ben-Shimon also commented:

My opinion is that I need to keep my players focused on the game. I want my players to come to the game with football knowledge and solutions for the pitch. I will not deal with any politics now. I will not respond to anything not connected to football.

I never use anything that is not connected to football to motivate my players. This game is very important to us for the group.

Ireland v Israel: Heimir Hallgrímsson speaks

Today’s incident was just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding this pair of fixtures, and Hallgrímsson admitted he would be grateful if the Ireland team merely “survives” this camp.

Surviving this camp, coming out of it together as one would be a massive win for me. That is coming from my heart. Everything this team has gone through, the criticism, surviving as a group after this game would be a big win for me and the group and the FAI. A big, big win, if we get through this undamaged.

From the coach, obviously by having another three points would be more probably than I could have asked for before the camp, knowing what was to come. The most pleasing thing has been the togetherness and what they have done for each other. They have done it with respect for each other. This bond of brothers will be stronger than others. All the obstacles we face in the future will be less.

Dara O’Shea, captain for this camp in the absence of Nathan Collins and Séamus Coleman, was absent from Saturday’s training session, having returned to London for the birth of his child. Hallgrímsson stated that he will not play any part on Sunday. James Abankwah is also suspended for Sunday’s game.

Ireland face Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia on Sunday, October 4th, with kick-off at 7:45pm.