Ireland Coach Urges UEFA to Keep Israel and Ireland Apart in Future Draws
Published
Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has urged UEFA to reconsider keeping Ireland and Israel apart in future draws, citing player welfare. He made the proposal in a separate interview with Irish journalists after Saturday’s pre-match press conference in Bačka Topola, Serbia. UEFA previously rejected the Football Association of Ireland’s request because the countries were not directly in conflict. FAI leaders are due at Thursday’s association gathering in Berlin, offering a possible opportunity to raise the issue again. Israeli coach Ran Ben Shimon opposed a reporter’s separation suggestion; no change in UEFA policy or renewed formal request has been confirmed.