Republic of Ireland vs Israel LIVE: Nations League result, latest updates and reaction | OneFootball

Tensions are high after public protests and political backlash

Troy Parrott’s first-half penalty was cancelled out after the break as the Republic of Ireland played out a 1-1 Nations League draw with Israel behind closed doors in Serbia. The Republic’s ‘home’ fixture was held on neutral territory at the 4,500-seat TSC arena in Backa Topola, due to “operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil” according to a June Football Association of Ireland (FAI) statement.

Parrott, who has now scored 10 times in his last seven competitive internationals, fired the Republic in front from the spot in the 39th minute before Dor Peretz drew the sides level two minutes after the restart. There was a clash between players as they entered the tunnel at half-time, with both sides lacking a clinical finish.

As in the reverse fixture, a 3-0 win in Hungary, Republic players bowed their heads during the Israel anthem and Kelleher did not shake hands with Peretz, though both exchanged handshakes with officials. Both sides wore black armbands. The Republic’s, the same as in Hungary to acknowledge – as the Football Association of Ireland chief David Courrell explained before that contest – “all lives lost” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.