UEFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into an alleged spitting incident involving an Israeli player and a member of the Republic of Ireland coaching staff during the teams' Nations League match in Serbia.
The governing body said Tuesday that it had appointed a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector after reviewing official reports from the 1-1 draw on Oct. 4 at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola.
The alleged incident occurred at halftime, when tensions flared between players and staff from the two teams as they headed toward the tunnel.
Damien Doyle, Ireland's head of athletic performance, alleged that an Israeli player spat at him during the confrontation. Television audio from the match appeared to capture a voice saying, "he spat on me," as the groups moved toward the tunnel.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson later confirmed there had been an accusation of spitting but said he did not personally see the alleged incident.
"I don't want to go into details. That's for the disciplinary committee," Hallgrimsson said after the match.
UEFA said its investigation would examine potential misconduct by players in connection with the incident. The governing body has not identified the Israeli player allegedly involved, and it has not indicated whether the investigation could result in disciplinary action against either team.
"Following a review of the official reports which contained an allegation of an incident in or around the tunnel at half-time, a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to conduct the appropriate disciplinary investigation regarding potential misconducts from player(s)," UEFA said.
The match was played behind closed doors in Serbia, with Ireland designated as the home team and forced to stage the fixture at a neutral venue amid security and operational concerns surrounding protests in Ireland over Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
It was the second meeting between the teams in eight days. Ireland had won the previous encounter 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary, where Israel was the designated home side. That match was also played behind closed doors.
The latest fixture was marked by heightened political and sporting tensions before kickoff. Strong public support for Palestine in Ireland had prompted calls for the Football Association of Ireland to boycott the matches, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad before the first meeting.
The Irish players ultimately voted to participate. There were no handshakes or exchanges of pennants before either match, while both teams wore black armbands in Serbia. Ireland's players also bowed their heads during Israel's national anthem.
Hallgrimsson later said the atmosphere surrounding the fixtures had placed considerable pressure on his team and accused Israel of trying to intimidate his players.
He also said Ireland had no desire to face Israel again.
"No, they shouldn't," Hallgrimsson said when asked whether the teams should meet in the future. "That's not ours to decide. It's UEFA's decision. Obviously there is big support for Palestine in Ireland. Not many countries support Palestine as much as Ireland does."
"I wouldn't wish any national team to go through what we have gone through these two weeks, so maybe UEFA needs to step in and do something."
The halftime confrontation was not the only flashpoint surrounding the two matches.
The FAI was reviewing an allegation that Ireland forward Adam Idah had been subjected to racist abuse by a small group of Israeli supporters during the match in Hungary. Separately, a claim by an Israeli journalist that Irish players had used racial slurs during the first game was rejected by the FAI's communications team.
On the field in Serbia, Ireland took the lead in the 39th minute when Troy Parrott converted a penalty. Israel captain Dor Peretz equalized two minutes after halftime, and both sides struck the woodwork as they pushed for a winner.
The draw left Ireland third in their Nations League group with five points.
The result, however, was overshadowed by the latest controversy between the teams, with UEFA's disciplinary investigation now set to determine whether any player committed an offense during the halftime confrontation.
UEFA said further information would be released in due course.