IRELAND PRESS CONFERENCE INTERRUPTED BY QUESTIONS OVER ISRAEL

 

PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTS INTERRUPT IRELAND DRAW WITH AUSTRIA

Campaign group Stop the Game threw tennis balls onto the field before a man invaded the pitch and was tackled by security

The Republic of Ireland’s Nations League match with Austria was twice interrupted by pro-Palestine protestors on Thursday evening following the controversial decision to play against Israel during this international camp.

Ireland’s players held a meeting last week and voted in favour of playing the scheduled matches against Israel despite opposition from supporters in Ireland who are against the conflict between Israel and Palestine in Gaza.

They defeated Israel 3-0 last Sunday (Sept 27) in a match played in Hungary and are scheduled to face the Israelis again in a behind-closed-doors contest in Serbia this upcoming Sunday (Oct 4).

Despite a heavy security presence at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Austria was subject to protests in the first half as campaign group Stop the Game threw tennis balls onto the pitch.

The balls were wrapped in stickers featuring the Palestinian flag and had the text “#StopTheGame” written on them. The campaign group launched the balls onto the field in the 20th minute with Ireland 1-0 up and later released a statement claiming responsibility for what it called a “limited tennis ball protest”.

Members of the group had also gathered before the game to oppose Ireland's matches against Israel with a small group displaying a Palestinian flag and banners in support of Irish player Gavin Bazunu, who decided to boycott both of his team’s matches against Israel in this international window.

The game resumed after a four-minute break, but there was another brief delay later in the first half as a man carrying what appeared to be a Palestinian flag invaded the pitch before being tackled, stopped and removed by stewards.

Elsewhere, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign also organized a protest outside the stadium, as well as others around the country calling for Ireland to boycott its remaining Nations League match against Israel.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) decided in June to move their “home” fixture against Israel to a neutral venue for “operational reasons” following widespread calls for a boycott.

The FAI has resisted the calls not to play and argued that the team could be hit with punishing sanctions by Uefa if it did so. Ireland are co-hosting the 2028 European Championship with England, Wales and Scotland and there could be possible ramifications.

This match wasn’t the first to feature a tennis ball protest as Irish fans also threw balls with Palestinian flags onto the field during a friendly game against Qatar in Dublin in May.

- Michael Jones

POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE | HEIMIR HALLGRÍMSSON | ISRAEL 0-3 IRELAND

 

ISRAEL FOOTBALLER SENT OFF FOR USING CORNER FLAG IN GUN FIRING CELEBRATION

Saied Abu Farchi scored his side’s equalising goal against Austria (Picture: AFP)

Israel footballer Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for appearing to use the corner flag to simulate shooting a gun during his goal celebration.

Israel were beaten 3-1 by Austria in their Uefa Nations League clash on Thursday night with Farchi briefly drawing his side level in the second-half.

After finding the back of the net, the 20-year-old immediately ran over to the corner of the pitch, removing the corner flag from the ground.

Farchi crouched down and took aim, smiling as he made gun-firing gestures.

Farchi had been booked just four minutes before his goal with the referee producing a second yellow card to leave Israel down to 10 men.

Austria took the lead again in the 90th minute through Philipp Mwene with Sasa Kalajdzic adding a third in stoppage time.

Israel are set to play Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

Farchi was sent off moments later (Picture: AFP)

Earlier this week, the Israel Football Association accused Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson of ‘hypocrisy and stupidity’ over comments he made regarding the upcoming Nations League fixtures between the two countries.

Campaigners have stepped up their bid to convince the Ireland team to boycott Sunday’s opener in Hungary, with a group gathering outside the team’s hotel in Dublin on Monday evening.

At last week’s squad announcement, Hallgrimsson admitted many squad members were uncomfortable about playing Israel, adding: ‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide.’

In a furious response on social media, the Israel FA wrote: ‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way.

‘Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach.

‘We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.’

Hallgrimsson later admitted hie comments were ‘not clever from me.’

He added: ‘Myself and the players need to be focused on the game. It’s a tricky time for us. We are grateful for the support we get.’

- Tony Mogan

ISRAEL ISSUE FURIOUS STATEMENT AFTER IRELAND MANAGER MAKES 'GENOCIDE' COMMENT

 

The Israel FA have issued a furious statement in response to Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson's 'genocide' comment ahead of their Nations League fixture on Sunday night.

A lot of controversy has surrounded the fixture, with the 'Stop the Game' campaign publishing an open letter on Monday, signed by more than 100 sporting figures, calling for the players not to fulfil upcoming fixtures against Israel as part of a continued boycott amid the ongoing Gaza War.

Ciara Mageean, Louise Quinn, Tony Ward, Joe Brolly and Colm O'Rourke were among the signatories. As per the Daily Mail, the letter claimed that pressure was being placed on the players after previous attempts to influence governing bodies and the government came to nought.

"The FAI, UEFA, and the Irish Government have all failed you by not taking decisive action and taking this out of your hands," it claimed. But while governing bodies have not taken any form of direct action against Israel, despite calls for them to do so coming well before the 2026 World Cup, Ireland's boss has now had some choice words of his own to say.

Heimir Hallgrimsson Makes 'Genocide' Comment Before Israel Fixture

The Icelandic boss used forceful language in defending his team as they prepare to take the field against a side that the Football Association of Ireland wanted to have suspended from competitions. He said over the weekend:

"And I've said before, we're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide.

"So, we're playing against Israel. We're not playing with Israel."

Israel has not officially recognised or accepted any allegations of genocide, strongly rejecting such claims as false and stating that its military actions in Gaza are acts of self-defense following the October 7, 2023, attacks.

However, international bodies and expert organizations have applied the term to Israel's actions, with the UN concluding last year (as per the BBC) that acts of genocide have been carried out on Palestinians - a finding that many human rights organisations agree with, as records state at least 73,919 Palestinians and over 1,200 Israelis have been killed.

Israel Hit Back With Furious Statement

As reports circulated that the Israelis were considering filing a complaint to UEFA, the Israeli FA posted on X on Monday night (see the full post below):

"We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by the Republic of Ireland team coach.

"We're not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we're playing against the coach who embodies them." 

The Ireland chief oversaw training at Abbotstown as he fine-tunes preparations for Thursday's meeting with Kosovo in Pristina, but it's the meeting with Israel in Debrecen in Hungary on Sunday, and in Backa Topola in Serbia a week later, that continue to dominate headlines.

- Robin Mumford

ISRAEL FOOTBALL DISPUTE TO 'HEAT UP' AFTER PROTEST IN IRELAND

Ireland’s football match against Qatar was stalled by pro-Palestinian protests as pressure builds on upcoming games against Israel.

Palestine flags are displayed in the stands as part of a protest during the match in Dublin [Cathal Mcnaughton/Reuters]

Republic of Ireland midfielder ‌Jamie McGrath has warned that the controversy surrounding Nations League games against Israel could intensify after their friendly win over Qatar in ⁠Dublin was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests.

Ireland are set to host Israel at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on October 4, ⁠while a September 27 fixture designated as an Israel home match is expected to be staged at a neutral venue.

Qatar"s match against Ireland was part of their preparations for this summer’s World Cup, where they begin their campaign against Switzerland on June 13. Ireland failed to qualify for the event.

Earlier this month, leading Irish footballers joined with celebrities in a campaign ‌calling for a boycott of Israel’s matches, but Ireland’s governing body for football (FAI) has said it will go ahead with the fixtures and that a refusal to play could lead to disciplinary measures.

Tennis balls featuring the Palestinian flag were thrown on to the pitch in Thursday’s friendly, ⁠causing the match to be halted twice, ⁠and McGrath expected more protests to follow.

“I’m sure it’s going to heat up over the next few months. We (the players) don’t want to be put into ⁠a position,” he told the BBC’s Northern Ireland bureau after the match.

“It’s obviously a unique scenario. The people [protesters], we have to listen to them, they have the right to do what they do, as long as it’s done in a peaceful way, that’s all that matters.

“Hopefully, the powers above us can work something out or use it for the greater good, I’m not sure what the process will be as it heats up.

"At the end of the day, we’re footballers and we don’t want to be caught in this, but sometimes we might have to.”

In November last year, 93 percent of FAI members voted ‌for ‌its leadership to press UEFA to suspend the Israel Football Association from Eu huropean competitions.

On Tuesday, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a protest at the Dail (Irish parliament).

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has also regularly weighed in on the debate and, ahead of the Qatar match, said his players must “win this war” against Israel in the upcoming matches.

McGrath was pressed further on the matter as to whether he believed a resolution would be found ahead of the matches.

“To be honest, I’ve no idea,” he replied.

“We obviously touched on it a few days, I’m sure as it heats up, it might be taken out of our hands, I’m not sure.”

- Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters

LAMINE YAMAL WAVES PALESTINIAN FLAG AS BARCELONA CELEBRATE LA LIGA WIN

Tens of thousands of Barcelona fans pack streets of Spanish city during open-top bus parade after domestic football league victory.

Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal waves a Palestinian flag during the celebrations in Barcelona on May 11 [Screen grab/x/@barcacentre]

Spanish teenage superstar Lamine Yayal has garnered praise from football fans for expressing solidarity with Palestine during Barcelona’s celebrations for winning the La Liga title.

In several clips widely shared online Monday, the 18-year-old could be seen waving a Palestinian flag from inside an open-top bus to cheers from jubilant crowds.

Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Barcelona to greet their heroes during the parade around the Spanish city.

Barca won their 29th La Liga title with a 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday, marking the second time the league’s outcome has been decided by the result of an El Clasico match.

Since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, the city of Barcelona has served as a major hub for pro-Palestinian activism in Spain.

It has also been the site of large regular pro-Palestine protests and served as a departure point for aid flotillas attempting to break the blockade of the besieged and bombarded territory.

Barcelona players tour the city as crowds celebrate the La Liga victory [Albert Gea/Reuters]

- Al Jazeera 

FIA PRESIDENT ISSUES STATEMENT AS GROWING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT THREATENS OPENING RACES

 

The President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has issued a statement amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the sport's governing body continuing to "monitor developments carefully and responsibly."

US and Israeli bombing of Iran at the weekend has been followed with a series of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, primarily targeting US military bases across the region.

Speculation has since increased that the opening races of the F1 2026 season will be affected, particularly in Bahrain and Jeddah with F1 races scheduled in April, due to air traffic freezes in the Middle East that have impacted important travel hubs in the region.

'Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions,' says FIA President

In a statement on social media, FIA President Ben Sulayem said the governing body are "deeply saddened" by the ongoing events in Middle East, and that the "dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."

Ben Sulayem said: "As President of the FIA, my thoughts are with all those affected by the recent events in the Middle East. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted.

"At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm, safety, and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."

The FIA President also emphasised that "safety and wellbeing" are to guide the governing body's decision making with regard to forthcoming scheduled events in the Middle East.

"We are in close contact with our Member Clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.

"Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose.

"That unity matters now more than ever."

Melbourne F1 boss provides update on Australian Grand Prix amid Middle East unrest

Despite the Middle East travel freeze reportedly affecting up to 1000 F1 personnel, Australian Grand Prix CEO Travis Auld has issued an update on the season-opener, with the Melbourne boss "confident" the race will not be impacted.

- byHenry Eccles

F1 MAKE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX DECISION AS TEAMS CAUGHT UP IN MIDDLE EAST CHAOS

Formula One officials are monitoring the situation after several teams were left in travel chaos ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix next weekend following airstrikes by the US, Israel and Iran

Melbourne hosts the first F1 race of the 2026 season(Image: Clive Rose, Getty Images)

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix is set to proceed next weekend despite reported travel worries for several teams. This follows the closure of Doha and Dubai - the primary stopover hubs for Qatar and Emirates airlines - on Saturday due to ongoing conflict in the region.

The Middle Eastern countries made this decision after Iran launched retaliatory strikes in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE in response to the United States and Israel initiating joint airstrikes on the country. The Daily Mail reports that airport closures have resulted in travel turmoil for several Formula One teams ahead of the Aussie GP on Sunday, March 8.

The report suggests that approximately 2,000 team and organisational staff have had to abruptly change their travel plans. It's understood that those heading Down Under are being rerouted onto flights via Hong Kong and Singapore, whilst some are flying directly into Perth with Qantas, before a three-hour and 35-minute domestic connection to Melbourne.

Eventual world champion Lando Norris won last year's race in Melbourne(Image: SAEED KHAN, AFP via Getty Images)

However, it's believed that the 2026 season-opening F1 race in Australia will still take place. Officials are keeping an eye on the situation and are liaising with the relevant authorities.

Some teams have already made their way to Australia ahead of practice on Friday, before qualifying takes place a day later at Albert Park. F1 are said to be relaxed and are not expecting any significant issues ahead of the season opener.

Apart from the cancelled events in 2020 and 2021, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Melbourne has featured on the F1 calendar every year since 1996. Significant regulation changes promise an unpredictable start to the new season.

Pre-season testing indicates no team will dominate, though Mercedes and Ferrari are considered as frontrunners to triumph in Australia next weekend.

And there has already been substantial controversy surrounding Mercedes' engine, with competitors claiming they have found a method around engine compression ratio restrictions.

The FIA confirmed earlier this month that it would not prohibit Mercedes' engine and have now revealed a new mid-season rule amendment: a test in June to tackle the alleged 'loophole'.

- Isaac Seelochan and Cameron Winstanley

CANARY ISLANDS REFURE TO HOST 2026 VUELTA A ESPANA AMID ONGOING CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING FORMER ISRAEL - PREMIER TECH

The Canary Islands have withdrawn their interest in hosting the 2026 Vuelta a Espana, citing political concerns linked to the continued presence of the former Israel - Premier Tech team in the professional peloton. Officials in Gran Canaria argue that the squad’s planned name change and shift in registered nationality for next season do not amount to a meaningful transformation.

Their stance contrasts with that of other regions — including Catalonia, which has accepted a Tour de France start following confirmation of the team’s rebranding — and has reignited debate over the place of the Israel structure in major cycling events.

Gran Canaria’s authorities point to the turbulence seen during the 2025 Vuelta, where several stages were disrupted by protests and the race ultimately ended with an improvised podium ceremony in an underground garage in Madrid. They maintain that a cosmetic administrative change is unlikely to prevent similar situations, and that aligning the island’s image with a potentially volatile edition of the race would be unwise.

The council also stresses that money was not the sticking point. Gran Canaria insists it had the organisational capacity and financial resources to host the race, as it has in previous years. The decision, they say, is based solely on avoiding reputational risk should new protests or disruptions arise.

Tenerife, meanwhile, has expressed disappointment at the collapse of a joint bid involving the Canary Islands government and the councils of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria’s withdrawal made the project unviable, leading to disagreements between institutions that had been hoping to bring the Spanish Grand Tour back to the archipelago.

There were numerous incidents involving the formerly named Israel - Premier Tech team during the 2025 edition, including the cancellation of Stage 21 in Madrid amid large-scale protests.

Why Gran Canaria said no

Speaking to La Provincia, Aridany Romero commented: “Several months ago, both the president — Antonio Morales — and I made clear that Gran Canaria did not want its name associated with the Vuelta a Espana while Israel-Premier Tech were competing.” On the team’s proposed changes, he added: “It is an attempt to whitewash, through sport, the genocidal actions of the state of Israel.” He continued: “They put ‘Israel’ on the jersey, and now, after everything that has happened these months, they have simply reverted to their previous position,” concluding: “At heart, nothing has changed.”

From Tenerife, Lope Afonso cautioned that “the latest developments do not bring good prospects” and said “the original plan falls apart” following Gran Canaria’s decision to step aside.

Scenes like these marred the 2025 Vuelta a Espana

- Kieran Wood

MARYLYN MONROE | HAPOEL TEL AVIV VS. AMERICA ALL-STARS | EBBETS FIELD | BROOKLYN | 1957

 

In May 1957, Marilyn Monroe participated in a ceremonial kick-off for a soccer match between Israel's Hapoel Tel Aviv team and an American All-Stars team at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. 

The event was part of a celebration for the 9th anniversary of the State of Israel. 

Monroe's ceremonial kick-off was a memorable and photographed moment, and it took her three attempts to complete the kick, reportedly hitting a photographer in the face on the second try. 

Hapoel Tel Aviv won the game 6-4. 

ASTON VILLA V MACCABI TEL AVIV POLICE ISSUE MAJOR UPDATE AFTER NIGHT OF PROTESTS

Missiles were allegedly thrown at West Midlands Police officers near Villa Park last night where Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv, a match to which away supporters were banned

Police officers escort a woman with an Israeli flag away from Pro-Palestinian protesters outside Villa Park(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Eleven people — including a child — were arrested last night following protests around Villa Park where Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv, police confirmed.

West Midlands Constabulary said in its latest update the suspects were mostly detained for racism offences near the ground, which hosted the Europa League clash.

Around 200 protesters — including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered near Villa Park's Trinity Road Stand — before the match to demand Israel is excluded from international football. Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel were placed on the ground beside Trinity Road amid pro-Palestinian chants.

But eleven people were arrested amid the tensions, including a 17-year-old boy who police say was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave. A 21-year-old man tried to throw fireworks into the ground, West Midlands Constabulary added. It was also reported missiles were thrown at officers.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the stadium in Birmingham(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Hundreds of extra officers were on duty in Birmingham on Thursday night. Chief Supt Tom Joyce, Birmingham Police Commander, said: "Our officers are being supported by officers from up and down the country as part of mutual aid. This has definitely been one of the most contentious and controversial matches we've hosted for some time, but our priority, really clearly, is public safety."

Five flatbed vehicles were driven past the ground prior to kick-off carrying electronic billboards showing messages opposing antisemitism.

One of the messages, beside a Star of David, read "Ban hatred not fans" while another carried a quote from Thierry Henry saying football is not about goals but bringing people together.

Hundreds of extra police officers were on duty to cover the demonstrations(Image: Getty Images)

But while violence did not happen, confrontations occurred and police made the 11 arrests. These were;

• A 63-year-old man arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after he was heard shouting racist abuse during a road rage incident near Villa Park

• A 21-year-old man arrested after refusing to remove a face covering while a Section 60 order was in place

• A 17-year-old who was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave

• A 34-year-old arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators

• A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators. He was also arrested for possession of class B drugs

• A 67-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse at a police officer

• A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse towards a pro-Palestine group

• A man aged 21 arrested after trying to throw fireworks into the ground

• A man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

West Midlands Police stress it understands the right to protests but had to ensure members of the public in and around Villa Park were safe. Unai Emery's side, currently bottom half of the Premier League, laboured to a 2-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

- Bradley Jolly

UEFA TO HOLD FRESH VOTE ON BANNING ISRAEL FROM EUROPEAN FOOTBALL OVER GAZA

Geneva: UEFA is reportedly moving ahead with a new vote next week on whether to suspend Israel from European football competitions, according to multiple media reports.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that a large majority of UEFA’s executive committee is ‘expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play.’

The possible ban follows mounting calls from human rights bodies and pressure campaigns pointing to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

The impetus for the proposal comes in part from a United Nations Commission of Inquiry, which concluded there were “reasonable grounds” to determine that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. 

If the vote passes, Israel’s national side would be expelled from UEFA qualifiers, effectively ending its chance to compete in the 2026 World Cup. 

Domestically, Israeli clubs would be barred from continental club tournaments like the Champions League and Europa League.

Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for Israel to be barred from international sporting competitions, drawing a comparison to Russia’s exclusion following the 2022 Ukraine war.

- The Peninsula 

SPAINS VUELTA FINAL STAGE ABANDONED DUE TO PALESTINIAN SOLIDARITY PROTESTS

 

SANDO TONALI SAVES ITALY FROM DISASTER

Sandro Tonali wheeled off in celebration in stoppage time when his speculative effort went through a sea of legs and into the net to win a rollercoaster of a match in Debrecen.

Sandro Tonali earned Italy a thrilling 5-4 win against Israel with the decisive late strike.

Sandro Tonali earned Italy a thrilling 5-4 win against Israel on Tuesday (IST) with the decisive late strike in the 2026 World Cup qualifier just as it looked like the Azzurri were plunging into another crisis. Newcastle United midfielder Tonali wheeled off in celebration in stoppage time when his speculative effort went through a sea of legs and into the net to win a rollercoaster of a match in Debrecen, Hungary, which Italy looked to have thrown away. The Azzurri, who have missed the last two World Cups, were leading 4-2 in the 81st minute when substitute Giacomo Raspadori rolled home almost immediately after replacing the impressive Moise Kean, who netted Italy's first two goals.

However, a clumsy Alessandro Bastoni own-goal and Dor Peretz's header drew Israel level before Tonali's fortunate effort moved Italy up to second in Group I -- level on nine points with Israel who have played a game more -- and in the play-off spot.

"We'll take the win which was crucial for us, but we're completely nuts, nuts because we conceded some absurd goals," said Gennaro Gattuso.

"We need to work on that because we're too fragile, we concede goals too easily. The boys know that, but this is my problem to fix.

"You have to give credit to the boys because every time they took a slap they had the courage to react and fight back." 

Italy trail leaders Norway by three points and still have a chance of taking first place and the group's sole direct qualifying spot.

But new coach Gattuso has a lot to think about ahead of October's return fixtures with Estonia and Israel, whose players donned black armbands in honour of the victims of Monday morning's deadly shooting at a bus stop in east Jerusalem carried out Palestinian gunmen.

Nominal home team Israel would have been good value for the draw, as Kean had previously twice pulled Italy out of the mire following Manuel Locatelli's early own-goal and a fabulous Dor Peretz strike in the 52nd minute in a largely empty Nagyerdei Stadium.

Italy rocked

Monday's match had cast a political cloud over Gattuso's first fixtures in charge of Italy due to Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The small group of Italian fans present turned their backs to the pitch during the Israeli national anthem, while boos also rang out from sections of the stadium, before then holding up banners which read "stop".

And the Italians on the pitch looked equally uninterested in the match come kick-off, with Israel snappier and more aggressive than the four-time world champions.

The nominal home had already had a goal disallowed by the time Locatelli bundled Dan Biton's cross into his own net.

Locatelli almost made up for his own-goal when he struck the bar with an acrobatic volley in the 31st minute, seconds before Kean wasted a great opportunity from a Gianluca Mancini cut-back.

But 10 minutes later Kean thumped a low drive past Daniel Peretz after collecting a knockdown from strike partner Mateo Retegui.

And Kean came to the rescue again nine minutes after the break, levelling with another powerful low shot just seconds after Peretz put Israel ahead for the second time with a brilliant first-time effort.

Politano finally put Italy ahead with a great volley after more fine work from Retegui, and when Raspadori rolled home the fourth it seemed the away team looked out of the woods.

But it took Tonali's unusual winner to finally secure the three points after uncharacteristically bad defending nearly left Italy's hopes of qualification hanging by a thread.

- Agency France-Presse 

EGYPTIAN NATIONAL TEAM REFUSES TO PLAY ZAMBIA DUE TO ISRAELICOACH

Egyptian media reports national team’s coaching staff rejected offer to play friendly against Avram Grant’s Zambia in November to avoid sparking controversy or angering fans and media.

https://bit.ly/4mF9I9h 

#SoccerNews #Egypt #NatiojnalSoccerTeam #Zambia #IsraeliCoach #Ynetnews #YnetGlobal

MOHAMMED SALAH CALLS OUT UEFA OVER TRIBUTE TO PALESTINIAN FOOTBALLER: "CAN YOU TELL HOW HE DIED?"

Mohammed Salah questioned UEFA's tribute to a Palestinian footballer who allegedly died in Gaza, awaiting aid.

AFP

As the Israel-Gaza conflict continues, UEFA's tribute to Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid triggered a storm on social media. "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele', a post from UEFA read on X, but a big debate was triggered as Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah asked the European football governing body to highlight the reason behind Suleiman's death. It was then that the post went viral on social media, drawing reactions from pundits and fans from all across the globe.

Paying tribute to Suleiman, UEFA called the former national team member "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."

Salah responded: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"

UEFA, however, didn't respond to the Liverpool superstar's question.

A fan ended up asking Grok, X's AI assistant, about the reason behind Suleiman's death. The response was heartbreaking.

Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'. 

"Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, died on Aug 6, 2025, in southern Gaza while awaiting aid. Palestinian Football Association reports he was killed by Israeli forces targeting civilians. No specific IDF comment; Israel generally denies such actions, citing militant threats or warning shots. Sources: France24, Times of Israel," Grok said.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) later posted a statement on its Facebook page attributed to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, calling Al-Obeid "proof of the joy that can flourish in the hearts of people despite hardship.

"He gave his talent and dedication to the children of Gaza and gave their dreams a hope to blossom despite the suffering," the statement read.

"His death is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who recognises the power of sport to unite people."

"He gave his talent and dedication to the children of Gaza and gave their dreams a hope to blossom despite the suffering," the statement read.

"His death is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who recognises the power of sport to unite people."

It isn't the first time Salah has raised his voice for Palestinians. The Liverpool star previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and called for "world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls".

- NDTV Sports Desk

NORWAY REFUSES TO PLAY WITH ISRAEL | WANTS EXPULSION

 

RISING LEBANESE SOCCER PLAYER IN COMA AFTER ISRAELI STRIKES

Celine Haidar, a ray of light on and off the pitch, always ready to give her best. ©Photo courtesy of Celine Haidar's Instagram page

Leading Lebanese footballer Celine Haidar is in a medically induced coma after she was critically wounded in an Israeli strike near her home in Beirut's southern suburbs, putting her international championship prospects on hold.

Captain of her club team and already included in the national youth team twice, the 19-year-old didn't allow her training to be interrupted by Israel's bombardment, as her family fled to a mountain town east of Beirut.

She assured her family she would leave every time the Israeli army issued an evacuation warning for a neighbourhood it was intending to bomb.

But on Saturday, she was asleep when the Israeli military spokesman posted an evacuation warning for her neighbourhood. Her parents called and urged her to leave immediately, but time was short.

An Israeli warplane struck as she leapt onto her motorbike. She was hit by shrapnel, which left her with severe brain injuries, including multiple skull fractures and brain bleeding.

The Israeli military was not immediately available to comment on the strike.

She is now in an intensive care unit at Saint George Hospital in Beirut, according to her coach, Samer Barbary.

Her parents, Abbas Haidar and Sanaa Shahrour, stand watch over her.

"I never thought I would have a daughter like her," her father said. "She has dreams and strength. She always told me: 'You'll see what I will accomplish tomorrow.'"

She is among over 15,000 people wounded by Israeli strikes over the past year, with bombardment of Beirut's suburbs escalating dramatically over the past two months.

The Israeli military says it is striking infrastructure belonging to armed group Hezbollah, which counted the suburbs, as well as south and east Lebanon, as its strongholds.

More than 670 women and 230 children are among the more than 3,500 people killed, Lebanon's health ministry says.

Haidar's teammates have hung a poster at their training field saying: "We are waiting for you."

"She is the cornerstone of our team," her teammate Lama Abdin, 18, said. "But we will play for her. We will achieve her big dreams."

Barbary said Haidar had already represented Lebanon twice with the under-19 national team, which won the 2022 West Asia cup that was held in Lebanon. She was already selected for the senior national team and was expected to be selected for the upcoming West Asia championship, he said.

Even though doctors say they do not know when she will wake up again, her mother, Sanaa, has refused to give up hope.

"I am waiting for you. Don't give up. You are a hero. Every night, I see you in my dreams, coming back to me," she told Reuters.

- Reuters 

ISRAEL ISSUE FAN WARNING AHEAD OF FRANCE GAME; MACRON TO ATTEND

Maccabi supporters wave yellow flags next to Israeli flags during the UEFA Europa League soccer match at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Nov. 7. ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Israel told citizens on Sunday to avoid going to cultural and sports events abroad involving Israelis in the coming week, following attacks last week q on Israeli soccer supporters in Amsterdam.

A statement issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel had intelligence that pro-Palestinian groups abroad intended to harm Israelis in cities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and others.

France and Israel are playing in a UEFA Nations League match on Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron will attend, the Elysee presidential palace said.

Paris police said Sunday that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for the match to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation a week after the violence against Israeli fans in Amsterdam.

"There's a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for us," Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez said on French news broadcaster BFM TV, adding authorities "won't tolerate" any violence.

Nuñez said that 2,500 police officers would be deployed around the Stade de France stadium, north of the French capital, in addition to 1,500 others in Paris and on public transportation.

"There will be an antiterrorist security perimeter around the stadium," Nuñez said. Security checks will be "reinforced," he added, including systematic pat-downs and bag searches.

Nuñez said that French organizers have been in contact with Israeli authorities and security forces in order to prepare for the match.

Israeli fans were assaulted last week after a soccer game in Amsterdam by groups of young people apparently riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people, according to Dutch authorities. Five people were treated at hospitals and dozens were arrested after the attacks, which were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel and across Europe.

On Sunday, Dutch police detained several people for taking part in a demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been outlawed following the violence targeting Israeli fans, a local broadcaster reported.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed Friday that the France-Israel match would go ahead as planned.

"I think that for a symbolic reason we must not yield, we must not give up," he said, noting that sports fans from around the world came together for the Paris Olympics this year to celebrate the "universal values" of sports.

Macron's expected attendance not only is a show of support for the French team, but also aims as sending "a message of fraternity and solidarity following the intolerable antisemitic acts that followed the match in Amsterdam," an official in Macron's entourage said. The official couldn't be named in line with the Elysee's customary practices.

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.

- ESPN News Services