Ireland news conference cut short amid racism dispute before Israel match
A pre-match news conference by Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson was abruptly ended after reporters raised allegations of racism by Irish players, which the FAI dismissed as completely untrue.
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson spent more than 11 minutes calmly answering questions ahead of Sunday's Nations League Group B3 match against Israel, which is being staged in Backa Topola, Serbia, since it counts as Israel's 'home' fixture.
Among his updates, Hallgrimsson confirmed that captain Dara O'Shea, standing in for the injured Nathan Collins, would miss the squad gathering because his wife was expecting to give birth, though O'Shea might still reach the team before kick-off at 19:45 BST. The manager also discussed the toll of the current four-match international window and reflected on Thursday's 2-2 draw with Austria.
Sudden end
As the portion of the news conference permitted to be broadcast live drew to a close, the tone shifted. One journalist asked for his view on Wednesday's incident aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, in which a co-pilot attacked the pilot before passengers subdued the attacker. Another reporter then pressed Hallgrimsson on allegations of racism by Irish players during last Sunday's 3-0 win over Israel in Hungary.
Hallgrimsson declined to hand back the microphone, and shortly afterward FAI head of communications Kieran Crowley ended the news conference, describing the racism allegations as completely untrue.
Those allegations emerged after it was confirmed the FAI is investigating separate reports that Israeli fans racially abused Ireland striker Adam Idah in Debrecen. Before the conference was cut short, Hallgrimsson had said he would not comment on either matter, leaving both to go through FAI and UEFA processes, and expressed hope that football would ultimately be the winner.
Ahead of last week's fixture, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, saying it would be wrong for him to take part, even though a players' vote on whether to play passed by what FAI chief executive David Courell called a significant majority. Thursday's game against Austria in Dublin was also marked by protest, with tennis balls thrown onto the pitch and a demonstrator briefly interrupting play while waving a Palestinian flag.
