Republic of Ireland 1-1 Israel: Heimir Hallgrimsson says Israel ‘tried to intimidate us’ amid spitting row

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson stated he felt Israel had been “attempting to intimidate” his workforce amid allegations of spitting throughout Sunday’s tense Uefa Nations League draw.

The groups clashed at half-time within the 1-1 draw behind closed doorways in Serbia, with the Irish Times, external reporting that Republic of Ireland head of athletic efficiency Damien Doyle alleged he had been spat at by an Israel participant.

On tv photos, a voice may be heard saying “he spat on me!” because the gamers made their means down the tunnel at TSC Arena.

“I do not wish to become involved in that, however it’s been like this these two video games. It’s tense, it is a whole lot of feelings,” Hallgrimsson instructed Off The Ball, external when requested concerning the incident.

“[It] was an accusation of spitting on somebody however I did not see it. No, we do not wish to discuss this, this can simply be reviewed most likely like every little thing else that is occurred between the 2 groups.

“I felt like they had been attempting to intimidate us from kick-off however I give a whole lot of credit score to the gamers to remain calm. It may have been a recreation of yellow and crimson playing cards however we had been composed, the gamers had been composed, they did nicely in controlling feelings.”

Asked concerning the half-time incident, Israel head coach Ran Ben-Shimon stated he didn’t see “something”.

“[At] half-time I used to be within the dressing room, my room, with my employees,” he stated.

“I did not see something. When I get the possibility to verify I’ll get again to you. I did not see something, I used to be in my room.”