{
  "id": 12127938,
  "title": "Israel games ‘taken a toll’ on Irish players following spitting claim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/israel-games-taken-a-toll-on-irish-players-following-spitting-claim",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T10:24:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/israel-games-taken-a-toll-on-irish-players-following-spitting-claim-1.500698854"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has commented on the impact the recent Nations League matches against Israel have had on his players, stating that the two games have taken a toll on his squad following a tense fortnight. The matches, which took place in Hungary and Serbia, were overshadowed by an allegation that an Israeli player spat at an Irish coach. Despite the political tension and calls for Ireland to boycott the fixtures, Hallgrimsson praised his players for handling the pressure well and expressed relief that the matches are now over. The Republic of Ireland secured a 1-1 draw with Israel, with both teams wearing black armbands in memory of those affected by the war in Gaza and the October 7, 2023 attacks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}