{
  "id": 12394084,
  "title": "UEFA investigates Ireland-Israel tunnel bust-up after spitting claim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/uefa-investigates-ireland-israel-tunnel-bust-up-after-spitting-claim",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T14:24:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/uefa-investigates-ireland-israel-tunnel-bust-up-after-spitting-claim/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "UEFA has launched an investigation into an incident during the Nations League game between the Republic of Ireland and Israel. The investigation follows an allegation that an Israeli player spat at a member of Ireland's coaching staff during the half-time break.\n\nThe incident occurred at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, where the match was played behind closed doors and ended in a 1-1 draw. According to the Irish Times, reported by BBC Sport Football, Republic of Ireland's head of athletic performance, Damien Doyle, alleged that he was spat at by an Israeli player.\n\nThe Irish manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, confirmed that there was an accusation of spitting during the fracas but chose not to comment further, saying it was something for a disciplinary committee to look at. UEFA has appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to conduct the investigation into potential misconducts from player(s).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "UEFA to investigate flashpoint after spitting allegation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/uefa-to-investigate-flashpoint-after-spitting-allegation",
        "published": "2026-10-06T09:13:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "UEFA to investigate spitting incident at Ireland-Israel football match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/uefa-to-investigate-spitting-incident-at-ireland-israel-football-match",
        "published": "2026-10-06T10:15:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "UEFA set to investigate alleged spitting incident in Ireland-Israel clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/uefa-set-to-investigate-alleged-spitting-incident-in-ireland-israel",
        "published": "2026-10-06T12:31:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "UEFA investigates Ireland-Israel tunnel bust-up after spitting claim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/uefa-investigates-ireland-israel-tunnel-bust-up-after-spitting-claim-12399471",
        "published": "2026-10-06T14:50:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}