Irish team coach's press conference ended early due to questions from Israeli journalists
Quick Look
- Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson's press conference ahead of the Nations League match against Israel ended early after questions from Israeli journalists about the attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai plane and accusations of racism against Irish players.
- The incident occurred in the Serbian city of Backa Topola, where the teams were to meet.
- The Football Association of Ireland press officer intervened, ending the conference after an argument with journalists.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The first meeting of Group 3 of League B between the national teams of Israel and Ireland took place on September 27 in the Hungarian Debrecen and ended with a victory for the Irish with a score of 3:0. During the pre-match performance of the Israeli anthem, the Irish defiantly lowered their heads and looked at the lawn, and the teams and their captains did not shake hands after the anthems and during the determination of sides.
MOSCOW, October 4 - RIA Novosti. The press conference of the head coach of the Irish national football team Heimir Hallgrimsson before the Nations League match against the Israeli team ended early after questions from Israeli journalists about the incident on board the plane flying to Tel Aviv and accusations of racism from the opposing team's players, The Irish Times reports.
The incident occurred on Saturday in the Serbian city of Backa Topola, where the teams will meet on Sunday as part of the fourth round of the Nations League. According to the source, about ten minutes into the conversation with the press, the Israeli journalist mentioned the attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai plane en route to Tel Aviv and asked the coach about “the people you support.” The FAI press officer intervened to encourage questions about football.
Then another Israeli journalist accused the Irish players of making racist remarks during the teams' previous match. The press attaché called the allegation completely false and announced the end of the press conference. While the journalist protested, an FAI employee took the microphone from him and the coach and Irish media were sent out of the room to continue the conversation. In the corridor, an Israeli journalist tried to join the conversation, but an argument arose between him and the federation staff. After the journalist threatened to call the police, Hallgrimsson and representatives of the Irish media went to the locker room, where they completed their conversation without further interruption.
The first meeting of Group 3 of League B between the national teams of Israel and Ireland took place on September 27 on a neutral field in Debrecen, Hungary, and ended with a victory for the Irish with a score of 3:0. During the pre-match performance of the Israeli anthem, the Irish defiantly lowered their heads and looked at the lawn. Also, the teams and their captains - Irishman Dara O'Shea and Israeli Manor Solomon - did not shake hands after the anthems and during the determination of sides.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
UEFA to investigate allegations of racism against Irish footballers
Likely · Within weeks
The match between the national teams of Ireland and Israel in Backa Topola will take place under increased security measures
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Was there a real attempt to hijack a FlyDubai plane?
- What kind of racist remarks have been attributed to Irish footballers?
- What action will UEFA take regarding the incident?
- Will the investigation into allegations of racism continue?
