Israel-Ireland press conference ends in row over Flydubai attack questions ahead of Nations League second leg

The Republic of Ireland’s pre-match news conference descended into a row on Saturday after members of an Israeli media contingent heckled head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, forcing the event to end abruptly ahead of Sunday’s UEFA Nations League second leg, Al Jazeera reported.

An Israeli journalist asked Hallgrimsson for his views on the incident aboard a Flydubai flight to Israel earlier this week, in which the co-pilot allegedly tried to seize the controls. According to the UAE prosecutor general, the co-pilot “attempted to carry out a terrorist act”, attacking the pilot with an axe; the aircraft carrying 174 passengers briefly plunged about 17,000 feet before it was brought back under control. The wounded pilot was Indian captain Smit Machchhar.

“What do you say about the people that you support? Their ideology is based on murder,” the journalist asked, purportedly linking Ireland’s stance on Palestine to the aviation incident. FAI communications manager Kieran Crowley intervened: “We respected your questions at the last press conference, but we are doing football questions today.” Hallgrimsson later described the episode as a “verbal attack”.

Another Israeli journalist then accused Ireland’s players of calling Israel’s players “monkeys” during the first leg — a claim Crowley dismissed: “That’s a lie. You’ve just broadcast a lie,” before walking away. Irish media report the FAI is still investigating allegations that Adam Idah and James Abankwah were racially abused by Israeli fans after Ireland’s 3-0 win in the first leg on September 27. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had publicly withdrawn from the fixtures the day before, saying “it would be wrong to participate”.

The second leg takes place at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, on Sunday. “A game with a lot of emotions attached to it,” Hallgrimsson said.