UEFA launches investigation into Ireland vs Israel match after spitting allegation against Israeli player

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026.

European football's governing body has opened an inquiry into Sunday's Nations League clash in Bačka Topola, Serbia, after Ireland's head of athletic performance, Damien Doyle, alleged an Israeli player spat at him during half-time. The match was already drenched in hostility — Ireland's players refused handshakes, bowed their heads during Israel's national anthem, and wore black armbands for Palestinians, while Israel's squad wore armbands marked '7.10' in memory of the October 7 massacre victims. Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said he didn't see the spitting but acknowledged it "will be reviewed", while Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said he "didn't see anything".

Neither the Republic of Ireland nor Israel's football associations have formally confirmed the spitting allegation.

Israel wore the '7.10' armbands after UEFA approved a request from the Israel Football Association, the day after the three-year anniversary of the Hamas attack.

The ill-tempered draw follows Ireland's 3-0 victory over Israel in Hungary a week earlier, with Irish players refusing handshakes in that match too.