(Oct. 3, 2026 \/ JNS)\n <\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s press conference on Saturday ahead of the UEFA Nations League soccer match to be held on Oct. 4 against Israel came to an abrupt end after an Israeli reporter probed head coach Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson about Irish players who allegedly called Israeli players \u201cmonkeys\u201d during the previous game between the two nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is completely untrue,\u201d a Football Association of Ireland official retorted.<\/p>\n
The microphone was reportedly taken away from the reporter as the Irish official kept repeating, \u201cWe\u2019re finishing the press conference there,\u201d adding, \u201cYou\u2019ve just walked past the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
The official then tapped Hallgr\u00edmsson on the shoulder and instructed him to leave.<\/p>\n
Before the question that led to the unusual scene, another Israeli journalist posed a question to Ireland\u2019s coach about the terrorist attack that took place earlier in the week on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n
The Irish press officer cut off the reporter, saying that the coach will answer only soccer-related questions.<\/p>\n
Beforehand, Hallgr\u00edmsson said that \u201cjust surviving as a group\u201d the upcoming game would be a \u201cbig win for me and for this group … if we go through this undamaged.\u201d<\/p>\n
Israel and Ireland were drawn in the same group for UEFA\u2019s Nations League competition.<\/p>\n
Hallgr\u00edmsson came under fire from the Israel Football Association after saying, during a press conference at the Football Association of Ireland headquarters in Dublin on Sept. 17, that his team would be \u201cplaying against genocide\u201d in upcoming matches against Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way,\u201d the Israel Football Association wrote on X on Sept. 21, before the first match was played the following week.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy\u201d such as that displayed by Hallgr\u00edmsson, the association said.<\/p>\n
We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball<\/a> team coach. We\u2019re not playing with\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 ISRAEL FA (@ISRAELFA) September 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Both teams host in \u2018neutral\u2019 locations<\/p>\n Israel lost 0-3 to Ireland at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, which was chosen as a \u201chome\u201d venue after UEFA ruled out international matches in the Jewish state over security concerns.<\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s designated home match on Oct. 4 will be played behind closed doors at TSC Arena in Ba\u010dka Topola, Serbia, due to \u201coperational challenges<\/a>\u201d surrounding the game.<\/p>\n The first match came under doubt after Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu told the squad he did not want to participate, with other players reportedly considering withdrawing. A majority ultimately decided to play.<\/p>\n