Uefa to investigate alleged spitting incident at half-time in Ireland v Israel
UEFA is investigating an alleged spitting incident between an Irish staff member and an Israeli player during a Nations League match in Serbia. The match was already highly sensitive due to ongoing protests and geopolitical tensions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the difficulty of maintaining neutrality and safety in international sports when matches become flashpoints for broader political conflicts.
Uefa has launched an investigation into claims a member of the Republic of Ireland coaching staff was spat at during the heated Nations League encounter with Israel on Sunday.
The European governing body has confirmed that post-match reports submitted by match officials “contained an allegation of an incident in or around the tunnel at half-time” and that it will be the subject of a disciplinary investigation “regarding potential misconducts from player(s)”.
Witnesses at the match, held in the Serbian town of Backa Topola, reported hearing a member of the Irish staff – understood to be the fitness coach Damian Doyle – claim he had been spat on by an Israeli player as the teams went down the tunnel at half-time.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Football Association denied the reports, saying “no one had spat towards the coach”.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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