Ireland manager’s press conference cut short after question on Israeli airstrike | OneFootball

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had his pre-match press conference in Serbia cut short on Saturday after renewed tensions with Israeli journalists over the Israel-Palestine conflict. It came on the eve of a Nations League meeting with Israel.

The session ended abruptly when an Israeli journalist raised an air incident in the Middle East this week. The questioner claimed one person had tried to kill 170 Israeli passengers and asked what Hallgrimsson thought of people he was said to support, according to L'Équipe. The sides meet again on Sunday in Backa Topola, seven days after Ireland's 3-0 win in Debrecen, Hungary.

A Football Association of Ireland press officer said only football questions would be taken. Soon after, another journalist alleged Irish players had called Israeli players monkeys during the match, a claim the press officer repeatedly said was completely false. The journalist's microphone was removed and the conference was brought to a close.

Ireland has long backed the Palestinian cause, and this Nations League double-header has already triggered controversy. Players had threatened to boycott the first leg to protest against Israel's war in Gaza, but the game went ahead on 27 September in Debrecen, with Israel unable to host because of security.

In that 3-0 win, Ireland's players wore an armband and lowered their heads during the Israeli anthem. There was no exchange of pennants or a handshake between the captains before kick-off.

Source: L'Équipe

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