Ireland press conference ahead of Israel game in Nations League cut short

AI Summary

Ireland's press conference before its Nations League match against Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia, was cut short after a journalist asked about alleged racism by Irish players. The fixture is politically contentious in Ireland because of opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza; Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in their previous meeting.

BACKA TOPOLA, Serbia (AP) — Ireland's press conference ahead of its contentious Nations League game against Israel was abruptly ended Saturday when a journalist asked coach Heimir Hallgrimsson about alleged racism by Irish players during last week's match between the teams.Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 last Sunday but only after Irish players took a vote on whether or not to go ahead with the game, due to bitter opposition in Ireland over Israel’s actions in Gaza.