UEFA to investigate alleged spitting incident in Ireland–Israel match

Ireland and Israel drew 1–1 on Sunday, 4 October, in the B division of the Nations League. Ireland’s designated home fixture was played on neutral ground in Serbia, according to ANP, as published by Nieuws.nl [1]. Former AZ striker Troy Parrott converted a penalty for Ireland, and Dor Perez equalised for Israel.

Before the match, the Irish players bowed their heads towards the pitch during the Israeli national anthem, as they had a week earlier. The teams did not shake hands before kick-off [1].

Israel wore mourning armbands for victims of the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. ANP reported that Ireland had worn armbands a week earlier for all victims of the war in Gaza [1].

Update

Republic of Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson said he felt Israel had tried to intimidate his side from kick-off in Sunday’s 1–1 Nations League draw. Speaking to Off The Ball after the match, he praised his players for staying calm. He also said he had not seen the incident behind a half-time spitting allegation. [2] [3]

Ireland staff member Damien Doyle accused an Israeli player of spitting at him as the teams left the pitch at half-time. The Football Association of Ireland confirmed that Doyle had made the allegation, according to The Irish Times; that confirmation does not establish that the alleged spitting occurred. BBC Sport reported that an unidentified voice could be heard saying “he spat on me” in television pictures of the tunnel. The Journal described shouting off-camera and a score graphic obstructing the view during the broadcast. [5] [2] [6]

The Irish Times also reported that midfielder Jayson Molumby was fouled five times and that players had to be separated at half-time. It described a further confrontation after the final whistle. Those incidents give context to Hallgrímsson’s assessment, but do not establish what happened to Doyle or why Israel’s players acted as they did. [5]

Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said his team had set out to be more aggressive in challenges after being too soft in the sides’ previous meeting. He denied that Molumby had been personally targeted and said he had not seen the alleged spitting incident because he was already in the dressing room. His account of the play does not settle Doyle’s allegation. [3]

Update

A UEFA spokesperson told Dutch news agency ANP on Tuesday that the governing body would investigate an allegation concerning the players’ tunnel at half-time in Sunday’s Ireland–Israel Nations League match. UEFA’s ethics and disciplinary committee will examine the allegation. ANP reports that an Israeli player is alleged to have spat at a member of Ireland’s team staff. [8]