Ireland cut short news conference as mood darkens further before Israel game

<ul><li><p>Ireland manager Hallgrímsson calls for ‘cool heads’</p></li><li><p>Says Uefa must consider whether nations meet again</p></li></ul><p>The Republic of Ireland’s press conference on the eve of their second Nations League match against Israel in Serbia was cut short as the head coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, fielded questions from Israeli journalists.</p><p>Ireland beat <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/27/israel-republic-ireland-nations-league-group-3-match-report">Israel 3-0 in Hungary in their first match</a> on Tuesday after a turbulent buildup in which the Irish squad voted to fulfil the fixture despite unease among the team over the war in Gaza.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/03/ireland-cut-short-news-conference-israel-nations-league-football">Continue reading...</a>