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A pre-match press conference ahead of Ireland’s Nations League match against Israel in Serbia ended prematurely after an Israeli reporter alleged that Irish players had called Israeli players “monkeys” in the previous match. The FAI media officer rejected the allegation as “completely untrue.” The reviewed reports do not independently establish that the alleged remark was made.
What happened at the press conference?
The Journal, republishing The 42’s reporting, said the UEFA-mandated media session took place at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia, before the teams’ second Nations League meeting. The October fixture was due to be played behind closed doors.
As the session was ending, an Israeli reporter first raised the Fly Dubai incident. After the FAI press officer asked for football-related questions, another Israeli reporter alleged: “Your players called our players monkeys during the match [last Sunday].”
The FAI media officer responded: “That’s that’s completely untrue, that is completely untrue, that is completely untrue.” Further accusations were shouted as the conference ended. The report said the UEFA delegate was not present. The Journal/The 42 report
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What was alleged, and what is established?
The reporter’s accusation concerned Irish players allegedly calling Israeli players monkeys during the previous match. It remains an allegation, which the FAI media officer denied; the cited account does not independently verify that it happened.
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson had earlier been asked about protecting players. He said the matter would go through the relevant departments and UEFA, and added: “I just hope that we can focus on football and that football will be the winner after this.”
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How is this different from the Adam Idah allegation?
A separate allegation concerned racist chants reportedly directed at Ireland forward Adam Idah by Israel fans during the teams’ previous match in Hungary. The Irish Times reported that midfielder Jayson Molumby heard alleged chants before half-time and asked the referee and fourth official to listen. The report said a UEFA delegate told the FAI that the incident could not be investigated through the normal process because the correct protocols had not been followed.
The FAI said it was reviewing video evidence and would send evidence to UEFA if it found evidence of racism. An unnamed FAI spokesperson told The Irish Times: “We’re going to review the video evidence from the game and try and determine if there is any evidence of racism. If we believe that to be the case, we will send [the evidence] to Uefa demanding an investigation into the incident.” The report also said Idah was unsure whether he had heard racist chants and that the Ireland camp said he was unaffected. It described an ongoing review, not a final finding. The Irish Times report
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These are distinct allegations: one was made by a reporter about what Irish players allegedly said to Israeli players; the other concerned alleged chants by Israel fans directed at Idah. Neither should be treated as established conduct on the basis of these reports.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why was the Ireland-Israel match being played in Serbia?
In a statement dated June 12, 2026, the FAI said UEFA had approved moving the October 4 Nations League fixture overseas to a neutral venue and playing it behind closed doors. The FAI cited operational challenges affecting delivery of the fixture at the Aviva Stadium and said it remained committed to fulfilling the fixture. This earlier statement provides the match context; it predates the October press-conference events. FAI statement on the fixture
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