Ireland immediately stop press conference after accusation by Israeli journalist before 'angry confrontation'

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) immediately stopped manager Heimir Hallgrimsson's pre-match press conference ahead of their Nations League clash against Israel after an accusation described as 'untrue' was made by an Israeli journalist.

During Ireland's 3-0 win over Israel in Debrecen, Hungary last week, Israeli fans were accused of directing racist chants towards Ireland striker Adam Idah. UEFA said that they could not investigate the allegations as the correct reporting protocols were not followed at the time.

Idah's team-mate Jayson Molumby was said to have heard the chants and informed the match officials to listen out for any further abuse as the match progressed. But according to BBC Sport, FAI officials were told after full-time that no further alleged racist chants were heard.

Hallgrimsson was put in front of the media as part of his usual pre-match duties on Saturday afternoon, ahead of a Sunday evening kick-off, but the FAI were forced to cut the live section of the press conference short.

'That is completely untrue...' - FAI immediately end press conference after remark made

As the press conference drew to a close, an Israeli reporter picked up a microphone and accused Irish players of aiming a racist insult at Israel players during their last Nations League clash.

"That is completely untrue," an FAI communications official immediately replied. "That is completely untrue. Okay, we'll finish the press conference there."

"I do my job, my friend. I do my job," the reporter replied. "You cannot take the microphone from me. You cannot take it."

When he was told by the official that he was 'broadcasting a lie', he said: "They are not lying about it. That is what they said. Don't touch me, man."

There was no UEFA delegate in the press conference room, with only Hallgrimsson and two other officials appearing to be present. One of the officials attempted to direct Irish media into a separate room.

According to journalist Gavin Cooney, there were 'angry confrontations' both in the room and outside while the separate, non-broadcasted conference for Irish journalists was ongoing.

Earlier in the press conference, a different reporter brought up the incident that occurred earlier this week in which a co-pilot attempted to take control of a Flydubai plane which was travelling from Dubai to the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv.

Hallgrimsson was also asked about the alleged racist abuse towards Idah. An FAI official confirmed that an investigation into that particular matter is ongoing.

Hallgrimsson on Gavin Bazunu boycott

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu will again be absent for the fixture, having returned for Thursday's 1-1 draw against Austria in Dublin. He withdrew from the squad before the first Israel fixture because of 'atrocities committed in the region' of Gaza. An independent United Nations commission last year described Israel's actions in the region as genocide after a resolution was put to its 500 members. Israel has repeatedly denied that description.

FAI chief executive David Courell stated that a 'significant majority' of Irish squad members had voted to play the game, which took place in Debrecen. It was later claimed that the vote passed by 15-8 in favour of playing.

"Everybody supports Gav," Hallgrimsson said earlier this week. "I don't want him to feel bad about what he did. I don't think that about his decision.

"It was probably the timing. It would have been better for me, as a coach, that the decision came earlier, but when he told me this, he explained that overnight he changed his mind and didn't want to play. That is understandable. Nobody forces a player to play for us."

Udinese centre-back James Abankwah will join Bazunu on the sidelines against Israel due to suspension.

Captain Dara O'Shea, meanwhile, has flown to England to attend the birth of his child and may also miss the game. He refused to shake hands with Israel captain Manor Solomon before the first Israel fixture.