Uefa has launched an investigation into an incident between Ireland and Israel, which saw an allegation of spitting made by a member of the Irish team.
At half-time, the two teams clashed during their behind-closed-doors fixture in Serbia, with Ireland’s head of athletic performance, Damien Doyle, alleging an Israeli player had spat at him, according to the Irish Times.
Ireland’s manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed there was an “accusation” during the coming together.
In a statement, Uefa said it was opening an investigation into the allegations made.
European football’s governing body wrote: “Following a review of the official reports which contained an allegation of an incident in or around the tunnel at half-time, a Uefa ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to conduct the appropriate disciplinary investigation regarding potential misconducts from player(s) on the occasion of the Uefa Nations League 2027 league phase match between Republic of Ireland and Israel, played on October 4, 2026, in Backa Topola, Serbia.”
Both fixtures between the two nations were full of controversy, with several calls for the games to not go ahead.
The Irish squad in both matches bowed their heads before the Israeli national anthem played and did not shake hands with the opposition.
Following the game in Serbia, Hallgrimsson said he felt Israel “were trying to intimidate us from kick-off”.
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The game’s conclusion marked the end of Ireland’s mentally tough international window, which Hallgrimsson thinks “made the team stronger”.
He said: “The bonding between players has grown so much. It is in these times leaders are born.
“In these times, you find out who are your true friends, who you trust.
“Even though it has been tough on us all, I think we will look back to these two weeks and say this was a defining moment for us, and every problem from now on will seem lesser than what we would have seen two weeks ago.
“I think that is a gain from all of this, and I think we need to look positive on a negative two weeks.
“We need now some time to reflect and go forward. It’s also the best time to find your enemies when you’re lying on the ground and people are kicking you. It’s easy to see who was trying to kick you.”
Hallgrimsson believes Uefa needs to seriously consider whether to let Israel and Ireland play each other in the future.
He said: “We have the possibility of looking back and seeing all the things that happened, I think Uefa must take that into consideration that they can’t have this happening again just for players’ welfare.
“But it raises awareness of the things that are going on. And, if it changes anything, I think that’s worth it. But I think it’s not for me to answer this one. It’s a good question to UEFA.”
Ireland sit third in their Nations League group due to the head-to-head rule, after losing their first game of this campaign to Kosovo 1-0.
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