---
title: "Ireland coach asks UEFA to separate teams from Israel"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ireland-coach-asks-uefa-to-separate-teams-from-israel"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ireland-coach-asks-uefa-to-separate-teams-from-israel"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ireland-coach-asks-uefa-to-separate-teams-from-israel.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ireland-coach-asks-uefa-to-separate-teams-from-israel"
category: "Politics"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-10-06T17:05:14.139Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-06T15:53:02.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-06T17:05:14.139Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-06T16:10:47.410Z"
---

# Ireland coach asks UEFA to separate teams from Israel

*Heimir Hallgrímsson cited contentious Nations League games and political tensions.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named body, with specific dates and locations, but no named on-record sources.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes, context, and details on what happens next, but lacks right of reply for all parties.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises intervention, but article details a request and the context of contentious games.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Ireland's football coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has requested UEFA to keep his team and Israel apart in future competitions.
- The request follows two Nations League matches between the teams, which were described as contentious.
- During the matches, Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem, while Israeli players wore armbands for victims of the Oct. 7 attacks.
- An incident occurred where Ireland's fitness coach claimed he was spat at by an Israeli player, and an Israeli journalist alleged Irish players called Israelis 'monkeys', which Ireland denied.

Ireland's national football coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, has asked UEFA to prevent future pairings of his team with Israel. The call comes after two Nations League matches between the sides that Hallgrímsson described as contentious. The teams drew 1-1 in their "home" game in Backa Topola, Serbia, and Ireland won 3-0 in Israel's "home" game in Debrecen, Hungary. Hallgrímsson stated that he would not wish any national team to experience what his team went through during these two weeks and suggested UEFA should intervene.

## Disagreements on match incidents

Reports differ on specific incidents during the matches. CTV News stated that Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before both games, while Israeli players wore armbands for victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. CTV News also reported that Ireland fitness coach Damien Doyle said he was spat at by an Israeli player during the second match. Additionally, CTV News reported an Israeli journalist claimed at a press conference that Irish players had called Israeli players "monkeys", a statement Irish communications officer Kieran Crowley called "a lie".

## Omissions in coverage

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific allegations of Irish players calling Israeli players "monkeys" or the claim that Ireland's fitness coach was spat at by an Israeli player. Similarly, none of the right-rated digests detail the gestures made by players during the national anthems, such as Irish players wearing black armbands and bowing their heads, or Israeli players wearing armbands for victims of the Oct. 7 attacks.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 35 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 43% (15)
- Centre: 34% (12)
- Right: 23% (8)

25 of 60 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-06T16:10:47.410Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 12 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-06T20:00:22.557Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on the contentious nature of the matches and the coach's call for separation. Several digests, including those from Telegrafi and The Hindu, highlighted Hallgrímsson's statement that "UEFA needs to step in and do something" or "Don’t pair Ireland and Israel again". The Independent's digest noted that the Republic of Ireland faced Israel twice in a week despite calls for a boycott. La Repubblica's digest mentioned "Insults and Spits: What Happened in the Game of Controversy" and included the coach's quote about UEFA not letting them play each other anymore. Stuff and The Toronto Star digests also carried the coach's main request.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports primarily focused on Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson's request to UEFA to keep the teams apart. Digests from CTV News, My Mother Lode, Medicine Hat News, and Bluefield Daily Telegraph all carried the headline "Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games". WBAL and Hometown News LP digests also featured this headline. VINnews's digest reported that the coach "urged UEFA to keep National Team Apart From Israel" and mentioned the strain surrounding the meetings.

### Right

- Right-rated reports highlighted the coach's appeal for UEFA to separate the teams. Digests from La Nacion and The Algemeiner used headlines that indicated division and hostility, with The Algemeiner's digest noting the "Hostile" nature of the match before the manager's call for separation. Washington Times and El Vocero de Puerto Rico digests also focused on Hallgrímsson's request to keep the teams apart. Kronen Zeitung's digest used the headline "Ireland-Coach Appeal: 'UEFA Must Intervene!'".

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 3
- high: 18
- unknown: 25
- veryHigh: 14

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [LNN Lanetanoticias](https://lanetanoticias.com/deportes/irlanda-solicita-a-uefa-evitar-futuros-partidos-contra-israel) — Ireland Asks UEFA to Avoid Future Parties Against Israel
- [Kosmo Online](https://kosmo.com.my/2026/10/06/republik-ireland-serik-bertemu-israel) — The Republic of Ireland Is Excited to Meet Israel
- [albeu.com](https://albeu.com/sport/trajneri-i-irlandes-i-kerkon-uefa-s-te-shmange-perballjet-me-izraelin/1041803) — Trajneri I Irelandës and Kërkon UEFA-S Të Shmangë Përballjet Me Izraelin
- [Telegrafi](https://telegrafi.com/irlanda-kerkon-nderhyrjen-e-uefa-s-nuk-duhet-te-luajme-me-me-izraelin) — Ireland Seeks UEFA Intervention: We Should No Longer Play Israel
- [Deutschlandfunk](https://deutschlandfunk.de/irische-fussball-nationalmannschaft-will-nicht-mehr-gegen-israel-spielen-102.html) — Middle East Conflict - Irish Football Team No Longer Wants to Play Against Israel
- [Zëri](https://zeri.info/sport/639963/trajneri-i-irlandes-i-kerkon-uefa-s-kurre-me-ndeshje-me-izraelin) — Trajneri I Irelandës I Kërkon UEFA-S: Kurrë Më Ndeshje Me Izraelin - Lajmet E Fundit
- [la Nacion](https://lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/irlanda-vs-israel-divididos-por-palestina-uno-de-los-tecnicos-le-pidio-a-la-uefa-que-separe-a-las-nid05102026) — Ireland vs. Israel, Divided by Palestine: One of the Technicians Asked UEFA to Separate the Selections
- [eldiariodechihuahua.mx](https://eldiariodechihuahua.mx/deportes/2026/oct/05/pide-dt-de-irlanda-no-volver-a-jugar-contra-israel-844378.html) — Asks Ireland DT Not to Play Against Israel Again
- [The Algemeiner](https://algemeiner.com/2026/10/05/israel-ireland-nations-league-match-gets-hostile-before-irish-manager-calls-teams-separated) — Israel-Ireland Nations League Match Gets Hostile Before Irish Manager Calls for Teams to Be Separated
- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/5/ireland-coach-hallgrimsson-wants-uefa-keep-team-apart-israel) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/10/05/ireland-coach-urges-uefa-to-keep-national-team-apart-from-israel) — Ireland Coach Urges UEFA To Keep National Team Apart From Israel
- [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/world/11195939/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [WBAL](https://wbal.com/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contenti
- [La Repubblica](https://repubblica.it/sport/calcio/esteri/2026/10/05/news/irlanda_israele_insulti_sputi-425627581) — Ireland-Israel, Insults and Spits: What Happened in the Game of Controversy
- [Kronen Zeitung](https://krone.at/4322025) — Ireland-Coach Appeal: "UEFA Must Intervene!"
- [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/sports/article/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/bulletin/sport/uefa-republic-of-ireland-israel-hallgrimsson-nations-league-b3061621.html) — Uefa urged to take drastic action to avoid Ireland-Israel Nations League repeat
- [insidepolitic.co.za](https://insidepolitic.co.za/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games - Inside Politics
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/sport/football/ireland-israel-uefa-nations-league-hallgrimsson-b3061609.html) — Uefa urged to keep Ireland and Israel apart after Nations League clashes
- [The Hindu](https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/ireland-israel-nations-league-controversy-criticism-hallgrimsson-uefa-intervention/article71547792.ece) — Hallgrímsson to UEFA: Don’t pair Ireland and Israel again
- [Unknown](https://glavcom.ua/sport/football/trener-zbirnoji-irlandiji-zaklikav-ujefa-rozvoditi-joho-komandu-z-izrajilem-1147249.html) — The Coach of the National Team of Ireland Called on UEFA to Dissolve His Team with Israel
- [Stuff](https://stuff.co.nz/sport/361042686/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-keep-team-apart-israel-afte) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/sports/2170959/chalgkrimson-se-uefa-min-mas-xanavalete-me-to-israil) — Hallgrimsson to UEFA: "Don't Put Us in the Same Boat with Israel Again"
- [El Vocero de Puerto Rico](https://elvocero.com/deportes/el-t-cnico-de-irlanda-pide-a-la-uefa-que-no-les-pongan-a-jugar/article_8b677a20-4b2d-4108-b246-f43107bd3e60.html) — Irish Technician Calls on UEFA Not to Be Played Against Israel
- [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/deportes/el-tecnico-de-irlanda-pide-a-la-uefa-que-no-les-pongan-a-jugar-contra-israel-tras-tensos-partidos-b3061568.html) — Irish Technician Calls on UEFA Not to Be Played Against Israel After Tense Matches
- [sportschau.de](https://sportschau.de/fussball/nationsleague/irlands-trainer-will-nicht-mehr-gegen-israel-spielen,pk-irland-israel-nations-league-102.html) — Requirement for UEFA: Ireland's Coach No Longer Wants to Play Against Israel
- [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/national-sports/2026/10/05/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/sports/soccer/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_bb648872-5f20-5068-a69e-7f7b2290484c.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [Bluefield Daily Telegraph](https://bdtonline.com/sports/national_sports/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_d7297b8d-ea2b-5141-ab7a-bce58caa3759.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [Hometown News LP](https://hngnews.com/national_sports/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_4fe340bb-bdd1-51aa-ac1d-44956c1dbd05.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [The Daily Sentinel](https://dailysentinel.com/anpa/sports/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_9b1cdf22-7e4d-56b2-95d4-595623627d5c.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [The EagleHerald](https://ehextra.com/sports/national/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_1437ec6c-881c-5749-bcf2-f373136bde18.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [Yankton Press & Dakotan](https://yankton.net/national_sports/article_7364c31a-be56-5bb5-80b0-fc1f3d1cfdc4.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [goSkagit](https://goskagit.com/sports/ap/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_22bc78d4-8918-5e36-b862-b1c3c9043e32.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Sports/wireStory/ireland-coach-uefa-team-apart-israel-after-contentious-137008513) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [RÚV](https://ruv.is/frettir/ithrottir/488850) — Heimir Wants UEFA to Intervene in the Game
- [DV](https://dv.is/433/2026/10/05/vidtal-vid-heimi-vekur-mikla-athygli-breytir-thad-reglunum-til-frambudar) — Interview with Heim Draws a Lot of Attention - Does It Change the Rules Permanently?
- [Sports.ru](https://sports.ru/football/1117390514-xadlgrimsson-schitaet-chto-irlandii-i-izrailyu-ne-stoit-bolshe-igrat-u.html) — Hadlgrimsson Believes that Ireland and Israel Should No Longer Play: "UEFA Should Intervene. I Would Not Want Any Team to Have to Survive What We Have in the Past Two weeks."
- [Haaretz](https://haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2026-10-05/ty-article/.premium/irelands-head-soccer-coach-asks-to-prevent-future-matches-against-israel/000001a1-0bd4-dbcb-a5e9-afd5c19e0000) — Ireland's head soccer coach asks to prevent future matches against Israel
- [Sportske.net](https://sportske.net/vest/analiza-timova/selektor-irske-uefa-da-nas-razdvoji-od-izraela-585020) — Ireland Coach: "UEFA to Separate Us From Israel!"
- [digisport.ro](https://digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-natiunilor/a-cerut-interventia-uefa-nu-pentru-israel-4525731) — Requested UEFA Intervention: NOT for Israel
- [Sueddeutsche Zeitung](https://sueddeutsche.de/sport/nations-league-2026-irland-israel-uefa-fussball-li.3558593) — Nations League 2026: Ireland Urges Uefa to Stop Playing Games Against Israel
- [zdfheute.de](https://zdfheute.de/sport/fussball-nations-league-irland-israel-streit-100.html) — Football: Ireland's Coach No Longer Wants to Play Against Israel
- [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82) — Ireland's Trainer Demands that Yueva Spare His Team From Facing Israel in the Future and Confirms that His Country Is the Greatest Supporter of Palestine.
- [Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF)](https://srf.ch/sport/fussball/nations-league/uefa-muss-eingreifen-irland-will-nicht-mehr-gegen-israel-spielen) — «Uefa Must Intervene» - Ireland No Longer Wants to Play Against Israel
- [voetbalprimeur.be](https://voetbalprimeur.be/nieuws/2143202/hallgrimsson-roept-uefa-op-ierland-en-israel-uit-elkaar.html) — Ireland Calls UEFA to Action After Duel with Israel: 'Shouldn't We Do'
- [Halk TV](https://halktv.com.tr/spor/uefadan-acik-cagri-bir-daha-karsilasmayalim-1059505h) — Open Call From UEFA! “Let's Not Meet Again”
- [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/sports/soccer/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_8536e247-fe2c-57a2-b6fb-49c164dc43ce.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/sports/soccer/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_86ba11c0-4437-5442-816e-e24d70bc5bde.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/sports/soccer/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games/article_5ae70070-1cab-58cd-a045-78eb884d7ca5.html) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [RAWCHILI](https://rawchili.com/5115613) — Republic of Ireland: Heimir Hallgrimsson calls on UEFA to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future after tense draw | Football News - RAW CHILI
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/sports/soccer/2026/10/05/ireland-coach-wants-uefa-to-keep-team-apart-from-israel-after-contentious-games) — Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
- [voetbalprimeur.nl](https://voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/2143151/ierse-bondscoach-doet-oproep-na-beladen-duel-met-israel.html) — Ireland Calls on UEFA to Take Action After Match Against Israel: 'We Shouldn't Be Doing This'
- [n-tv](https://n-tv.de/sport/fussball/Fussball-Konflikt-zwischen-Irland-und-Israel-eskaliert-voellig-id31380842.html) — Coach Calls for Exclusion: Football Conflict Between Ireland and Israel Escalates Completely
- [Great Yorkshire Radio](https://greatyorkshireradio.co.uk/sports/republic-of-ireland-heimir-hallgrimsson-calls-on-uefa-to-keep-ireland-and-israel-apart-in-future-after-tense-draw) — Republic Of Ireland: Heimir Hallgrimsson Calls On Uefa To Keep Ireland And Israel Apart In Future After Tense Draw
- [Sky Sports](https://skysports.com/football/news/13595235/republic-of-ireland-heimir-hallgrimsson-calls-on-uefa-to-keep-ireland-and-israel-apart-in-future-after-tense-draw) — Republic of Ireland: Heimir Hallgrimsson calls on Uefa to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future after tense draw
- [The42](https://the42.ie/ireland-israel-spitting-allegation-7182399-Oct2026) — 'I felt that was kind of the intention to try to intimidate us and make us do something stupid'
- [fotbolti.net](https://fotbolti.net/news/04-10-2026/heimir-uefa-verdur-ad-gripa-inn-i-og-gera-eitthvad) — World: UEFA Must Intervene and Do Something
- [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/1004/1593977-hallgrimsson-wants-uefa-to-keep-ireland-and-israel-apart) — Hallgrimsson wants UEFA to keep Ireland and Israel apart
- [Extra.ie](https://extra.ie/2026/10/04/sport/heimir-hallgrimsson-uefa-ireland-israel) — Hallgrimsson: UEFA must consider future Ireland/Israel games

## Questions

**Why does Ireland's coach want teams separated from Israel?**

Ireland's coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, has asked UEFA to keep his team and Israel apart in future competitions due to the contentious nature of their recent Nations League matches. He cited the significant political tensions and on-field incidents that occurred during the games.

**What happened during the matches between Ireland and Israel?**

The two Nations League matches were marked by political tensions. Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem, while Israeli players wore armbands for victims of the Oct. 7 attacks. An incident was reported where Ireland's fitness coach claimed he was spat at by an Israeli player.

**What specific allegations were made about player conduct?**

During a press conference, an Israeli journalist alleged that Irish players called Israeli players "monkeys". Ireland's communications officer, Kieran Crowley, denied this, calling the accusation "a lie". Ireland's fitness coach, Damien Doyle, also stated he was spat at by an Israeli player.

---

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