From BBC Sport · · 1m 20s
Ireland vs Israel Spitting Row
Ireland coach says Israel tried to intimidate team amid spitting allegations.
In brief
Ireland coach says Israel tried to intimidate team amid spitting allegations. Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson claims Israel attempted to intimidate his team during a tense Uefa Nations League draw after spitting allegations. Originally reported by BBC Sport.
Spitting allegations
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said Israel tried to intimidate his team amid spitting allegations during Sunday's Uefa Nations League draw.
“he spat on me”
Half-time clash
The teams clashed at half-time in a 1-1 draw played behind closed doors in Serbia with Irish Times reporting Republic of Ireland head of athletic performance Damien Doyle allegedly spat at by an Israel player.
“he spat on me”
Hallgrimsson's response
Hallgrimsson said he felt Israel tried to intimidate his team from kick-off but credited players for staying calm despite tense emotions.
“it's been like this these two games. it's tense, it's a lot of emotions”
Israel coach's stance
Israel head coach Ran Ben-Shimon said he didn't see the spitting incident but would check details later.
“i didn't see anything”
Pre-match tensions
Tensions deepened when Ireland's pre-match news conference was abruptly ended after Hallgrimsson faced a verbal attack from Israeli reporters.
“it's nothing personal against molumby”
Molumby's complaint
Midfielder Jayson Molumby asked match officials to listen for abusive chanting from small numbers of Israel fans during the game.
“it's nothing personal against molumby”
Ongoing tensions
The fixtures have been controversial since February due to the Israel-Gaza war with Irish Sport for Palestine organizing protests against Ireland's participation.
“it's nothing personal against molumby”
The main idea
Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson claims Israel attempted to intimidate his team during a tense Uefa Nations League draw after spitting allegations.
