Heimir Hallgrímsson said he would prefer Ireland and Israel not to meet in future competitions after two tense Nations League fixtures. Ireland played its home game in Serbia behind closed doors.
Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has urged UEFA to keep the Irish and Israeli national teams apart in future competitions after two contentious matches in the Nations League’s second tier. The teams drew 1-1 in Serbia on Sunday, where Ireland was formally the home side but played without spectators. A week earlier, Ireland won 3-0 in Hungary, where Israel hosts its home matches.
The Football Association of Ireland moved its home fixture from Dublin to Serbia, citing operational reasons and security concerns amid demonstrations supporting Palestinians. It did not sell tickets to visiting supporters. Before the first match, Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem. In the second game, Israeli players wore black armbands for victims of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Speaking to national broadcaster RTÉ, Hallgrímsson said UEFA might have to intervene to prevent a repeat of the situation. The Irish federation had previously called for Israel to be barred from international club and national-team competitions, but resisted a boycott of the fixtures, citing the risk of UEFA sanctions. In June it said the Irish home match would be moved to Serbia and played without fans.
Tensions also surfaced during the matches. Ireland’s staff alleged that an Israeli player spat at a member of its coaching team. An Irish communications official rejected as false a claim that Irish players had used racist language toward Israelis. La Nación also reported that a small number of Israeli fans directed racist abuse at Irish forward Adam Idah during the first game. The allegations have not been presented as findings by a disciplinary authority.