Republic of Ireland held by Israel in tense Serbia fixture

The Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel in their second Nations League meeting, with Dor Peretz cancelling out Troy Parrott’s first-half penalty in a behind-closed-doors match in Serbia.

The Republic’s designated home fixture was played at the 4,500-seat TSC arena in Backa Topola. In a June statement, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) cited “operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil” as the reason for moving it to neutral territory.

Penalty lead erased after half-time

Parrott put the Republic ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute. Peretz equalised two minutes after the restart, leaving Ireland third in Nations League Group B3, level on points with second-placed Kosovo. Parrott has now scored 10 times in his last seven competitive internationals.

Tensions rose around half-time when a fracas broke out near the tunnel and players from both sides argued. Officials separated players during another altercation in added time, and heated words were exchanged again after the final whistle.

Armbands and media restrictions

Both teams wore black armbands. The Republic’s acknowledged “all lives lost” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, as FAI chief David Courrell had explained before their earlier match in Hungary. Israel’s armbands bore “7.10” to commemorate the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, according to the team’s official X account.

The pitch carried UEFA graphics, including “football for all”, but no sponsored content or branding, a decision taken by the FAI. The Israeli Government later accused Irish players of “moral blindness” for bowing their heads during Israel’s national anthem, as they had done in the first meeting.

Before the match, UEFA confirmed that two Israeli journalists had been barred from the post-match press conferences. An earlier Ireland media session had ended prematurely after a journalist alleged that Israeli players had reported racial abuse by Irish players in the match in Hungary. An Irish press officer rejected the allegation as “completely untrue”.

Hallgrimsson asks UEFA to act

Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson said he did not think the countries should play each other again, while acknowledging that the decision rests with UEFA. “I wouldn’t wish any national team to go through what we’ve gone through in these two weeks, so maybe UEFA just needs to step in and do something,” he told RTE Sport.

Hallgrimsson declined to discuss the half-time fracas, saying a disciplinary committee would probably examine it. UEFA has been contacted for comment.