FAI ends Ireland news conference early after racism claim

Heimir Hallgrimsson's briefing before Sunday's Nations League fixture against Israel in Serbia was halted after a question about alleged racism by Irish players.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had his pre-match media session cut short on Saturday, one day before his side meet Israel in Nations League Group B3. Sunday's fixture, a nominal home game for the Irish, is being staged in Backa Topola, Serbia. For a little over 11 minutes, the briefing had stayed on football topics.

On the team front, Hallgrimsson confirmed that Dara O'Shea, leading the side with Nathan Collins injured, was away from camp because his wife was about to give birth, though the defender could still link up with the squad in Backa Topola before the evening kick-off. The manager also addressed the toll of a four-match window and looked back at Thursday's 2-2 draw with Austria.

Tension rose as the portion of the briefing cleared for live broadcasting came to an end. One journalist wanted Hallgrimsson's view of Wednesday's events aboard a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, where a co-pilot attacked the pilot before passengers subdued him and took charge of the aircraft. A second then raised claims that Irish players had been racist during last Sunday's 3-0 win over Israel in Hungary and would not hand back the microphone, prompting FAI head of communications Kieran Crowley to end the session and label the claims "completely untrue".

The claim involving an Irish player surfaced after the FAI confirmed it is examining reported racist abuse aimed at striker Adam Idah by Israel supporters in Debrecen.

Minutes earlier, Hallgrimsson had made clear he would steer clear of both matters, saying he would not "get involved in that as others will process that." "It is a game with a lot of emotions attached," he said. "I haven't read anything and it's not something I want to get involved with. It goes to a process, both in our department and with Uefa." He added: "Something was reported by both teams so I just hope we can focus on football and football will be the winner after this."

Away from the flashpoints, the squad has taken up a collective prayer ahead of recent games as the players prepare to walk out of the dressing room, something Hallgrimsson described as being "just to cool our heads before we go on to the pitch." Midfielder Conor Coventry leads the ritual and is now jokingly known as "Brother Coventry" inside the camp.

The back-to-back meetings with Israel have loomed over Irish football since the sides were paired at February's draw, with pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine running a "Stop The Game" boycott push over the Israel-Gaza war. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu sat out the fixtures, saying "it would be wrong to participate," while FAI chief executive David Courell revealed a players' vote on playing passed by a "significant majority." Thursday's Austria match in Dublin saw tennis balls hurled onto the playing surface and a protester dash onto the field waving a Palestine flag.

Hallgrimsson believes coming through the period intact would represent "a big win for this group and the association if we go through undamaged." He said: "When we look back, this camp will be a moment we grew the most and stepped up as leaders, supported each other and stuck together. The power of togetherness is stronger than individuals."

Per Global Sportscast's listings, Israel face Republic of Ireland on Sunday, October 4, kicking off at 2:45 PM EDT at Gradski stadion Backa Topola.