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Ireland press conference ahead of Israel game in Nations League cut short
An FAI official cut off the exchange after an Israeli reporter raised alleged racist remarks by Irish players, deepening tensions around the Israel fixtures.
On Saturday, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson abruptly concluded his pre-match news conference after an Israeli journalist asked about a mid-air altercation on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Reporters pressed Hallgrimsson on alleged racism by Irish players during Sunday's 3-0 victory over Israel, alongside inquiries regarding Wednesday's plane incident involving a pilot and co-pilot.
Hallgrimsson refused to address the controversies, insisting he would not "get involved in that as others will process that." Football Association of Ireland head of communications Kieran Crowley dismissed the allegations as "completely untrue."
Stand-In captain Dara O'Shea will miss Sunday's game as his wife is due to give birth, though Hallgrimsson emphasized the team's need to emerge from the camp "together as one."
Ireland prepares for Sunday's Nations League Group B3 match against Israel in Serbia following Thursday's 2-2 draw against Austria, amid the strain of a four-game international window.
The press conference of the Irish football team ahead of the League of Nations match against Israel was interrupted after the coach's discussion with Israeli journalists.