UEFA probes Israeli player for allegedly spitting at Ireland coach

UEFA opened an investigation Tuesday after an Israeli player was accused of spitting at a member of Ireland’s coaching staff during their Nations League match in Serbia, according to media reports.

Ireland’s head of athletic performance, Damien Doyle, alleged that an Israeli player spat at him as the teams left the pitch at halftime of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at TSC Arena in Backa Topola, according to The Irish Times.

The match was an Ireland home fixture but was moved to a neutral venue in Serbia and played behind closed doors after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) cited “operational challenges” surrounding the fixture.

UEFA confirmed Tuesday that an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector had been appointed after reviewing official reports containing an allegation of an incident “in or around the tunnel at halftime.”

READ: Ireland players to wear black armbands for Israel Nations League match

The governing body said the inspector would investigate “potential misconducts from player(s)” during the match.

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson separately said Israeli players had been trying to intimidate his team from the start of the match.

Troy Parrott gave Ireland the lead from the penalty spot in the first half before Israel captain Dor Peretz equalized shortly after the break as the match ended 1-1.

Ireland had beaten Israel 3-0 in their previous Nations League meeting in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sept. 27.

As they had in the first meeting, Irish players wore black armbands, bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem and did not shake hands with their opponents before Sunday’s match.

READ: Amnesty urges UEFA to suspend Israel, calls Nations League participation ‘unconscionable’