Backa Topola:Serbia: Ireland's pre-match news conference before their UEFA Nations League game against Israel was abruptly ended on Saturday after tense exchanges over a Flydubai flight incident and claims of racism.

According to Anadolu Agency, during the conference, head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson faced questions from journalists, including an Israeli reporter who asked about an incident involving a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The journalist posed a contentious question about the people that Hallgrimsson supports, linking it to the flight incident.

The Football Association of Ireland's communications manager, Kieran Crowley, intervened, stating that only football-related questions would be entertained. The Flydubai incident in question involved a co-pilot attacking the captain aboard flight FZ1073, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The news conference briefly continued until another Israeli journalist accused Irish players of racially abusing Israeli players in a previous encounter. Crowley dismissed these allegations as untrue, and after the journalist refused to relinquish the microphone, the conference was ended.

The Football Association of Ireland is currently investigating claims that forward Adam Idah was racially abused by Israeli supporters during Ireland’s recent 3-0 victory over Israel in Hungary. The FAI is examining video and audio evidence to verify the allegations, which include purported monkey noises directed at Idah.

Despite these claims, UEFA has not launched an investigation, citing procedural issues. The previous match took place amid calls in Ireland for a boycott of Israel's actions in Gaza, with Irish players showing solidarity by wearing black armbands and forgoing the traditional pre-kickoff handshake.

Ireland and Israel are set to face each other again on Sunday in Backa Topola, Serbia, with the match to be held behind closed doors.