Israeli officer silences journalist as Irish FA opens racism probe
Two press conferences on Sunday evening in Bačka Topola highlighted the stark contrast between an Israeli journalist being forcibly silenced after a question on an alleged racism incident and an Israeli communications officer later urging the Irish football association that “football must be for everyone”. The incidents unfolded ahead of the Ireland‑Israel friendly.
Silencing at the Irish briefing
During the Irish coach Hallgrímsson’s pre‑match briefing, Israeli reporter Moti Pashchatzky asked whether Irish players had called Israeli players monkeys. Irish press officer Kieran Crowley interrupted, calling the claim “completely untrue” and announced the conference would be stopped. An Irish man then tried to yank the microphone from Pashchatzky’s hands, prompting a chaotic scene that was filmed. The report, filed by Jordi De Koninck Sport, began with the Dutch word “Een” to note the journalist’s nationality.
Israeli message of inclusion
At the separate Israeli briefing, communications officer Shlomi Barzel addressed the Irish FA. He said, “Football must be for everyone”, recalling Irish fans who remembered a 2005 trip to Tel Aviv and expressing hope for future matches in Israel. Barzel also mentioned an Irish supporter who, despite being in Debrecen, had not missed a match in thirty years and was given a VIP ticket.
Israel later posted the briefing video on its X account, adding the caption “Ireland, maybe it is time to listen to other voices”, which was interpreted as a sneer.
Background of the rivalry
The two nations met a week earlier in Bačka Topola, where Ireland won 0‑3. Prior to that match, Hallgrímsson had declared, “We do not play with genocide, we play against genocide. We play against Israel, we do not play with Israel.” The lingering dispute between Ireland and Israël continues to affect future fixtures.
Irish FA launches racism investigation
Following the press‑conference turmoil, the Irish football association opened an investigation using video and audio material to determine whether Israel‑based fans had racially abused Irish forward Adam Idah. The probe aims to establish whether the alleged incident constitutes a racism offence.
Israeli captain Manor Solomon warned that speaking openly about Irish players could lead to a suspension, adding that “they hate us, but we cannot hate them either”.
The juxtaposition of a journalist being muzzled and an official preaching inclusivity underscores how the Ireland‑Israel encounters remain mired in political and cultural tension rather than pure sport.