The Republic of Ireland's news conference ahead of the team's contentious Nations League game against Israel was abruptly ended Saturday when a journalist asked coach Heimir Hallgrimsson about alleged racism by Irish players during last week's match between the teams.
Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 last Sunday but only after Irish players took a vote on whether or not to go ahead with the game, due to bitter opposition in Ireland over Israel's actions in Gaza.
On Saturday, an Israeli journalist alleged that Irish players made racist comments, which promoted an immediate rebuke from Football Association of Ireland communications manager Kieran Crowley: "That's completely untrue." The news conference was then ended.
Sunday's game -- Ireland is the "home" team -- is being held in Backa Topola, Serbia, without any fans present.
The FAI moved the game to a neutral venue for "operational reasons" in June following widespread calls in Ireland for a boycott. It also followed the FAI's own motion the previous November calling on UEFA to ban Israel from club and international competitions.
The FAI has resisted calls for a boycott, arguing the team could be hit with sanctions by UEFA. Ireland is co-hosting the 2028 European Championship with England, Wales and Scotland.
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Last Sunday's game was held in Debrecen, Hungary, where Irish players wore black armbands. The FAI was investigating whether Ireland's Adam Idah and James Abankwah were racially abused during the match. A small number of Israel supporters had attended.
Asked about the allegations at his own news conference, Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said: "My opinion is that I need to keep my players focused on the game.
"I didn't let anything, any emotion about it, to penetrate our squad. I want my players to come to the game with the football knowledge and the solutions for what's going on on the pitch.
"I'm not dealing with any politics now. Now, I want the team to be much better in the tactical matters, in the approach to the game. And this is my only focus. I'm not going to respond to anything that is not connected to football."
On Thursday, Ireland's game against Austria in Dublin was briefly interrupted by protesters throwing tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags.
The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.