UEFA to investigate Ireland-Israel half-time incident after spitting allegations

UEFA opens disciplinary investigation into alleged spitting incident involving an Israel player and Ireland fitness coach Damien Doyle during half-time of their Nations League match in Serbia.

UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate an alleged spitting incident that occurred during half-time of the Republic of Ireland vs Israel Nations League match played on 4 October 2026 in Backa Topola, Serbia. Ireland's fitness coach Damien Doyle is understood to have alleged he was spat at by an Israel player during an altercation in or around the tunnel. The match ended 1-1, a week after Ireland won 3-0 in their first fixture. The investigation will examine potential misconduct by player(s) involved in the incident.