The Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel in the second controversial Nations League fixture between the sides. Troy Parrott's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Dor Peretz after the break in the behind-closed-doors game in Serbia. The Republic's 'home' fixture was held on neutral territory at the 4,500-seat TSC arena in Backa Topola, due to "operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil" according to a June Football Association of Ireland (FAI) statement.
Tensions rose at half-time after a fracas broke out in front of the tunnel and players from both sides engaged in a heated argument, with the Israeli Government later accusing Irish players of "moral blindness" for bowing their heads during Israel's national anthem, as they did in Monday's first match. On the pitch Parrott, who has now scored 10 times in his last seven competitive internationals, fired the Republic in front from the spot in the 39th minute before Dor Peretz drew the sides level two minutes after the restart. The result puts Ireland third in Nations League Group B3, level on points with second-placed Kosovo.
Prior to the match, UEFA confirmed that two Israeli journalists were banned from the post-match press conferences, after Saturday's pre-match Ireland press conference descended into chaos. The media access for Ireland was cut short after an Israeli journalist alleged that Israeli players had claimed Irish players had racially abused them during the match in Hungary last weekend. The journalist alleged a derogatory term was used - which Sky Sports has chosen not to repeat.
It is not a term associated with being antisemitic or anti-Israeli. An Irish press officer refuted the allegation, saying "that's completely untrue", and brought the news conference to a premature close. After the press conference ended abruptly, Serbian police were called due to an allegation of assault by an Israeli journalist who had the microphone taken from them by an FAI press officer.
Sky Sports News understands there was no further action was taken by police.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
