FAI cuts short Hallgrimsson's press conference as racism claims flare

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson saw his pre‑match briefing end abruptly on Saturday after more than eleven minutes of questioning, with the Football Association of Ireland’s head of communications Kieran Crowley declaring accusations of Irish racism "completely untrue". The stoppage comes ahead of the Nations League Group B3 "home" game against Israel in Serbia on Sunday.

Team news and squad availability

Hallgrimsson confirmed that captain Dara O'Shea, standing in for the injured Nathan Collins, was absent because his wife was due to give birth. He added that O'Shea could return to Backa Topola before Sunday’s kick‑off.

The manager also reflected on the demanding four‑game international window, recalling Thursday’s 2‑2 draw with Austria and the recent 3‑0 victory over Israel in Hungary.

Controversy and media pressure

During the live‑broadcast segment, a reporter pressed Hallgrimsson on a Wednesday incident in which a co‑pilot attacked a pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the manager declined to comment. A second journalist then raised alleged racism by Irish players during the Hungary win, prompting Hallgrimsson to refuse further questions and to state he would not become involved.

FAI chief Kieran Crowley intervened, ending the conference and branding the allegations as "completely untrue". Hallgrimsson later reiterated that the matter would be handled by the association and UEFA, adding that he had not read any reports and wanted to focus on football.

He also highlighted the team’s collective prayer led by midfielder Conor Coventry, jokingly dubbed "Brother Coventry", as a way to calm nerves before matches.

Outside the press conference, the Israel double‑header has dominated discourse, with the "Stop The Game" campaign urging a boycott of the fixtures. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the Hungary match, citing moral concerns, while a vote to play the games passed by a "significant majority"

Protests erupted during the Austria game in Dublin, featuring thrown tennis balls and a brief pitch invasion waving a Palestine flag. Hallgrimsson described the upcoming encounter as a test of the squad’s unity, saying a win would be "a big win for this group and the association if we go through undamaged".