Ireland’s press conference ahead of their match against Israel came to an abrupt end after Israeli journalists asked about the FlyDubai hijacking and a claim of racism.
Heimir Hallgrimsson, Ireland’s manager, spoke to the press ahead of the reverse fixture versus Israel, set to take place in Serbia on Sunday.
During the press conference, an Israeli journalist asked about the attack on board a FlyDubai flight bound for Israel earlier in the week, which saw the co-pilot suspected of stabbing the captain.
The Irish press officer requested to keep the focus on “football questions”, with Hallgrimsson then taking an inquiry about Finn Azaz’s availability.
Shortly afterwards, another Israeli journalist made a claim of racism against the Irish squad.
The allegation was shut down by the Irish press officer as “completely untrue”, before telling the Israeli journalist: “You’ve just lied. You’ve just broadcast a lie.”
Shouting then abruptly ended the press conference.
Irish FA representatives then asked the Israeli press to leave an embargoed media meeting with Hallgrimsson, which sparked another confrontation.
Ireland’s press conference came to an abrupt end after Israeli journalists asked about the FlyDubai hijacking and a racism claim
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The briefing was eventually held in a different location.
The controversial second fixture follows last week’s contest, which saw Ireland dominate and win 3-0.
Before the match, Irish players bowed their heads before the Israeli national anthem and did not shake hands with the Israeli squad.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu boycotted the fixture, and Ireland’s squad opted to wear black armbands for the match “in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict”.
Shouting abruptly ended the press conference
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GETTYThe Irish manager discussed the controversy surrounding the fixture, saying the squad is tired due to “everything going on”.
He continued: “It is going to be tricky and challenging for the players to be ready [for Israel], but we will do everything and the medical team will work day and night to get them fit and fresh for that game.
“[It’s] just another football match, but [there] is more at stake for all of us.”
A win would see Ireland finish on seven points from four games, and Hallgrimsson could not decide whether it would be a success.
Republic of Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 after three goals in 25 minutes last week
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GETTYHe said: “I don’t know how I want to answer that question, if it should come from my heart or as a coach or as a person, or as a leader. Surviving this camp, coming out of it together as one, would be a massive win for me.
“That is coming from my heart, I think all the challenges that this team has gone through, all the criticism… that would be a big win for me and for this group, for the association, that will be a big, big win if we go through this undamaged.
“Obviously having another three points would be more probably than I could have asked for before the camp, knowing what was to come.
“You never know when you go into an environment like this how players will react, but that has been the most pleasing thing for me, is to see their togetherness and how they stand up for each other.
“Whatever they have done, they have done it with respect to the situation, to each other.
“And after this, I’ve said it so many times, I think this bond of brothers will be stronger than ever, and all the obstacles that this group will face in the future will be lesser than it actually is.
“I think when we look back at this camp, in hindsight, we’ll say: ‘This is the moment we grew the most’. We stepped up as persons, as leaders, supported each other, and the main thing is we stuck together.”
