Hallgrimsson urges UEFA to keep Ireland and Israel apart after Nations League draw

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has called on UEFA to prevent future meetings between his side and Israel after their Nations League encounter ended 1-1 on Sunday. According to RTE, the coach said the teams should be kept apart in future draws, while acknowledging that the decision belongs to European football's governing body rather than either national team.

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Ireland's designated home fixture was played without spectators in Backa Topola, Serbia. Troy Parrott converted a penalty in the 39th minute, taking his tally to 10 goals in his last seven competitive internationals. Dor Peretz equalised two minutes into the second half. RTE reported a confrontation involving players and staff as the teams entered the tunnel at half-time.

Hallgrimsson said he intended to step back for three or four days before assessing the experience, and expected the Football Association of Ireland to review what it could learn. RTE noted that another meeting remains possible in the next Nations League or Euro 2028 qualifying. His intervention was a request for UEFA action, not an announcement that the draw arrangements had changed.

BBC Sport reported that Ireland had played four matches in two weeks, travelling around 5,000 miles, with only one fixture staged in Ireland. Sunday's draw left them with five points from a possible 12. Hallgrimsson expressed relief that the window was over and praised his players for their response to the demands placed on them during that period.

The BBC also reported the manager's explanation for leaving Finn Azaz out of both Israel matches. Azaz played 90 minutes in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Austria and sustained a minor knock. Hallgrimsson said the midfielder had also faced a difficult emotional situation because of family connections to Israel, and he did not feel Azaz was ready to play on Sunday.

Asked about Azaz's international future, Hallgrimsson said nothing indicated that the Southampton player intended to quit. He viewed the midfielder's continued presence with the squad as evidence of his commitment and pointed to his contribution on the pitch, while expressing hope that he would remain part of Ireland's plans.