UEFA Investigates Alleged Spitting Incident in Ireland v Israel Nations League Clash
UEFA Investigates Alleged Spitting Incident in Ireland v Israel Nations League Clash
UEFA has opened a spitting investigation into an alleged incident during Sunday’s Nations League match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel, after an Israeli player was accused of spitting at a member of the Irish coaching staff.
European football’s governing body said it had appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to conduct the investigation, following a review of the official match reports.
What UEFA said about the spitting investigation
“Following a review of the official reports which contained an allegation of an incident in or around the tunnel at half-time, a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has 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,” a UEFA statement said.
The allegation is that an unnamed Israeli player spat at Ireland’s head of physical performance, Damien Doyle, as the two sides left the pitch at half-time of the 1-1 draw.
A fixture played under strain
The match was staged in Serbia behind closed doors after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chose a neutral venue amid protests in Ireland over fulfilling the fixtures, linked to Israel’s war in Gaza. Ireland is one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of the Israeli campaign.
The two sides had met in Hungary the previous week, a tie that went ahead only after the Irish squad held a vote following goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu’s withdrawal from the contentious fixtures. Ireland won that match 3-0.
There were no pre-match handshakes or exchanges of pennants in either fixture. Both teams wore black armbands in Serbia: Ireland’s in commemoration of all victims of the conflict in Gaza, and Israel’s in memory of the victims of the October 7 attack that sparked the war.
What the coaches said
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson declined to give details of the alleged spitting at his post-match news conference. “I was there. I’m not going to comment. It’s something a disciplinary committee will look at,” he told reporters.
Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said he had already left the touchline and did not see the incident. “Halftime, I was in the dressing room, in my room with my staff; I didn’t see anything. When I’m going to see and check, I will get back to you with the answer,” he said.
The FAI is separately looking into alleged racist abuse aimed at forward Adam Idah by a small group of Israel supporters during the first leg in Debrecen.
What happens next in the spitting investigation?
A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will examine the official reports and any available evidence from the half-time tunnel incident. If misconduct is established, UEFA’s disciplinary body can impose sanctions ranging from fines to suspensions.
When and where was the match played?
The Republic of Ireland v Israel Nations League fixture was played on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia. It ended in a 1-1 draw.
Why was the game played in Serbia?
The FAI moved the fixture to a neutral venue and played it behind closed doors after protests in Ireland over fulfilling the ties against Israel, citing the war in Gaza.
