What Everton's Jake O’Brien allegedly shouted to Israel star in controversial Nations League clash
Everton star Jake O'Brien was allegedly involved in controversial scenes in the aftermath of Ireland's 3-0 win over Israel.
There were questions over whether the UEFA Nations League contest would go ahead, given Gavin Bazunu's withdrawal from the squad.
The Bolton Wanderers ace omitted himself from the Ireland camp due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
However, the Blues defender and his teammates held meetings and ultimately decided to play on Sunday.
The match went ahead in Hungary, with the Irish securing the victory through goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan.
O'Brien is said to have been involved in an altercation after the final whistle was blown in Debrecen.
What did Jake O'Brien apparently say in Israel vs Ireland clash?
The Toffees defender is believed to have had a confrontation with West Ham's Manor Solomon after the game.
A report from Israeli outfit Sport 5 claims that O'Brien shouted a message at their captain.
It said: "At the end of the game, just before he reached the interview stand, Everton defender Jake O’Brien shouted at the team’s captain Manor Solomon from the locker room: 'Shame on you for what you’re doing in Gaza. You deserve to lose'."
Solomon apparently responded, saying: "Come out, be a man. Don't talk behind a wall. It's a shame the game wasn't in Israel, you would understand what the best country in the world is."
The veracity of the claims must be questioned given that nowhere else has reported it and it comes from one side involved in the conflict, so not a neutral source by any means.
Why Everton star can't forget about Israel yet
O'Brien will be keen to forget about the match either way, but that is not possible.
The Boys in Green face Israel again on 4 October as part of the extended international break, again in the Nations League.
If the confrontation did happen, then it will reignited when the sides meet again on neutral ground.
O'Brien will just hope that he and him teammates can come away with all three points again and increase their standing in the Group G table.
The controversy that has come with the opposition has been a major distraction, and Heimir Hallgrimsson's side will be keen to get it over with.
Once the next clash is finished, they will hope to avoid the Israeli's in future competition, so that the same controversy and moral questions are not brought up again.
O'Brien and Ireland's focus will be on winning as many games as they possibly can, and ignoring any outside noise that may take away from that ambition.