Uefa has confirmed it is investigating the half-time incident during Sunday’s Nations League game between the Republic of Ireland and Israel, following an accusation of spitting.
The match, a 1-1 draw played behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia, saw the two sets of players clash as they made their way down the tunnel at the interval. The Irish Times reported that Damien Doyle, the Republic of Ireland’s head of athletic performance, alleged he had been spat at by an Israel player. Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson later confirmed there had been an “accusation of spitting” during the fracas.
On Tuesday, Uefa said it was opening an investigation “following a review of the official reports”. European football’s governing body added that an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector had been appointed “to conduct the appropriate disciplinary investigation regarding potential misconducts from player(s) on the occasion of the Uefa Nations League 2027 League Phase match between Republic of Ireland and Israel, played on 4 October 2026 in Backa Topola, Serbia”. The Football Association of Ireland has been contacted for comment.
The flashpoint at half-time was not the end of the friction between the sides, with the players also clashing at full-time.
Speaking after the game, Hallgrimsson said he felt Israel “were trying to intimidate us from kick-off”. He added: “I give a lot of credit to the players to stay calm. It could have been a game of yellow and red cards but we were composed, the players were composed, they did well in controlling emotions.”
Israel head coach Ran Ben-Shimon said he had not seen “anything” of the half-time incident. “[At] half-time I was in the dressing room, my room, with my staff,” he said. “I didn’t see anything. When I get the chance to check I will get back to you. I didn’t see anything, I was in my room.”
The fixture, like the reverse meeting, was played at a neutral venue and had been embroiled in controversy since February, when the two teams were drawn together in Group B3. Republic of Ireland players faced persistent calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, with the “Stop The Game” campaign – organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine – staging protests before and during Thursday’s game against Austria in Dublin.
Despite the pressure to boycott, and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu making himself unavailable for both games, the FAI ultimately decided to fulfil both fixtures. The teams did not engage in pre-match formalities in either match, while the Irish players bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem.