Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inRachel SteinbergSaturday 03 October 2026 14:13 BSTHow Ireland v Israel become the world’s most controversial fixtureRepublic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson stated that simply surviving the current international camp and coming through undamaged would feel like a massive win for his team amid ongoing controversy surrounding their Nations League fixtures against Israel.The Republic of Ireland's home fixture against Israel is scheduled to take place behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia, following widespread protests in Ireland regarding the decision to play the matches.A pre-match press conference ended abruptly after heated exchanges between Israeli journalists and Irish officials over non-football questions and allegations of racism against Irish players, which the FAI press officer strongly denied as completely untrue.Additional confrontation ensued when FAI representatives requested that Israeli media leave a subsequent embargoed briefing designated solely for the Irish press, forcing the briefing to be relocated elsewhere in the building.Ireland captain Dara O’Shea remained behind in London due to the imminent birth of his child, though manager Hallgrimsson noted there remains a possibility he could still feature in the fixture.In fullRepublic of Ireland press conference cut short after clashes ahead of Israel rematchMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in