Republic of Ireland fitness coach Damien Doyle was allegedly spat at by an unnamed Israeli player during half-time in Sunday's Nations League clash, according to reports. The incident occurred as both teams headed towards the tunnel, with tensions boiling over in front of stadium security and local police.
Flashpoint sparks confrontation
The alleged flashpoint triggered a confrontation between the two camps, and Spanish referee Juan Martínez Munuera intervened to separate the feuding players and coaching staff. Munuera had awarded Troy Parrott a first-half penalty following a VAR review. He is understood not to have witnessed the spitting incident, reports the Irish Mirror. However, the Irish Independent claims that Serbian security staff did see the incident take place.
Pre-match press conference drama
Before the match, UEFA confirmed that two Israeli journalists whose questions had prompted an abrupt end to Heimir Hallgrímsson's pre-match press conference were prohibited from attending either manager's post-match briefing. One Israeli journalist had tried to ask Hallgrímsson whether he supported an "ideology based on murder" - referencing an attempt to crash an aeroplane bound for Tel Aviv. Another made a claim that "your players called our players monkeys during [last Sunday's] match" - before being swiftly interrupted by FAI media officer Kieran Crowley.
Crowley responded firmly, saying: "That's that's completely untrue, that is completely untrue, that is completely untrue." As Crowley escorted Hallgrímsson and the Irish media away, the reporter persisted with further accusations.
FAI examining audio recordings
FAI officials are currently examining audio recordings from pitchside microphones after Jayson Molumby approached the match official last Sunday to raise concerns about racist abuse directed at Adam Idah and James Abankwah from the Israeli supporters. The fixture took place without any spectators present, having been staged behind closed doors on Sunday evening. The encounter ended 1-1, with Israel finding an equaliser shortly after the interval. The FAI have been contacted for comment.
