The incident occurred on Saturday at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, where the second meeting between the two nations will take place amid heightened political and sporting tensions.
Israeli journalist questions Ireland coach
An Israeli journalist initially asked Hallgrímsson about an incident involving a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv earlier in the week.
According to the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general, the co-pilot of the aircraft attempted to take control of the plane after allegedly attacking the pilot with an axe. The aircraft briefly lost altitude before control was restored.
The journalist then linked the incident to Ireland’s political position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, asking Hallgrímsson what he thought about the people Ireland supports and referring to an alleged ideology based on murder.
Football Association of Ireland communications manager Kieran Crowley intervened and told the journalist that the press conference was intended to focus on football-related questions.
“We are only concentrated on football questions today,” Crowley said, according to RTÉ.
Second allegation ends the media session
The situation escalated when another Israeli journalist alleged that an Ireland player had referred to an Israeli player as a “monkey” during their previous Nations League meeting.
Crowley immediately rejected the allegation.
“That is completely untrue. You just broadcast a lie,” he said before the press conference was brought to an end.
Al Jazeera reported that Hallgrímsson later described the confrontation as a “verbal attack”.
The Irish FA is separately investigating allegations that Ireland players Adam Idah and James Abankwah were subjected to racist abuse by Israeli supporters during the previous meeting. Those allegations remain subject to investigation and should not be confused with the accusation made against the Irish players at Saturday’s press conference.
Ireland and Israel prepare for another tense encounter
The latest confrontation comes less than a week after Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in the first Nations League meeting in Debrecen, Hungary.
The match was played against a backdrop of protests and calls in Ireland for a boycott because of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu also withdrew from the squad before that fixture, saying he did not feel comfortable participating in the matches against Israel.
The return fixture has been designated as an Ireland home match but moved to the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola because of security considerations. It will be played behind closed doors.
Hallgrímsson urges players to stay focused
Hallgrímsson said Ireland must remain focused on football despite the political and emotional backdrop surrounding the fixture.
The Icelandic coach acknowledged that the match carries considerable emotion but said his players must control their focus and avoid being distracted by events outside the pitch.
He also revealed that the Ireland squad has introduced a pre-match prayer huddle, led by midfielder Conor Coventry, as part of efforts to keep the players calm before high-pressure matches.
The second Ireland-Israel encounter is scheduled for Sunday at the TSC Arena, with Ireland looking to follow up their 3-0 victory in the first meeting.