# Ireland vs Israel Spitting Row

> Ireland coach says Israel tried to intimidate team amid spitting allegations.
- Title: Ireland vs Israel Spitting Row · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: Ireland coach says Israel tried to intimidate team amid spitting allegations. Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson claims Israel attempted to intimidate…
- Keywords: republic of ireland, israel, uefa nations league, heimir hallgrimsson, ran ben-shimon, spitting row, uefa nations league draw, sports, Ireland, Spitting, Row, BBC Sport
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cw4g14eg5p22o
- Published: 2026-10-04T22:51:49.958+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: republic of ireland, israel, uefa nations league, heimir hallgrimsson, ran ben-shimon, spitting row, uefa nations league draw, sports
## 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
## Key takeaway

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson claims Israel attempted to intimidate his team during a tense Uefa Nations League draw after spitting allegations.