Ireland captain Caoimhin Kelleher REFUSES to shake hands with Israel skipper ahead of kick-off - as he and team-mates bow their heads again during rival's national anthem in politically-charged Nations League tie

Published: 15:25 EDT, 4 October 2026 | Updated: 16:21 EDT, 4 October 2026 A member of Ireland’s back-room staff alleged they were spat at by an Israel player during a half-time tunnel bust-up during their highly charged Nations League fixture in Serbia.Ireland fitness coach Damien Doyle made the accusation following a confrontation as the teams left the field, according to the Irish Times.The incident came with Ireland leading 1-0 at the break, with Troy Parrott having put Heimir Hallgrimsson's side ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute.Isreal levelled two minutes after the interval with Dor Peretz beating goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from close range.Kelleher and Peretz, who captained their respective nations on the night, had earlier declined to shake hands or exchange pennants pre-match.The pair repeated the stance from last weekend’s initial fixture, when Dara O’Shea and Manor Solomon had led out the two teams.Ireland also bowed their heads when the Israeli national anthem played prior to kick-off, while they again wore a black armband in recognition of all the lives lost in the war in Gaza.The Irish team had come under intense pressure to boycott both fixtures due to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.The calls to withdraw were part of a 'Stop The Game' campaign, organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine.Israel players wore black armbands for the second meeting, with UEFA approving a request to honour the memory of victims of attacks on October 7 in 2023, which saw around 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage.On the eve of the match, Ireland were forced to end Hallgrimsson's press conference early after his players were accused of using a racist term to describe Israel players by an Israeli journalist.Irish media reported prior to kick-off that two Israeli journalists were banned by UEFA from attending the post-match press conferences following the chaos.