'I'm a football player': West Ham's Israel forward Solomon refuses to engage with Austrian questions

Austria boss Ralf Rangnick has also given political comment a wide berth ahead of tonight's Nations League clash.

Israel's forward Manor Solomon. Picture: Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images

Unlike Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, Austria boss Ralf Rangnick has given political comment a wide berth ahead of his side's Nations League meeting with Israel tonight.

Pressed on Wednesday on the potential explosiveness of the fixture, which Austria are hosting in Linz, the former Manchester United manager said: "Tomorrow will not be the first time that Austria will play against Israel. Our focus is clearly on a football match

"All wars in this world are completely senseless and cost lives unnecessarily. What I wish for is that everyone understands that they have a responsibility on this planet and ensure that all people can live in peace."

However, Israel's West Ham attacker Manor Solomon engaged in a terse exchange with an Austrian journalist who asked him to comment on remarks by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen that Israel had committed war crimes in Gaza. 

"I've never heard about this and I don't care about it," Solomon began as a press officer appeared to intervene to block the line of questioning.

With the journalist adamant that he could ask what he liked, Solomon continued: “I’m a football player. I’m here to play football. 

“What do you want me to reply? I have a match tomorrow. I’m solely focused on the match.” 

The journalist added: “I can ask my questions, you can answer whatever you want. I’ll do my job, you do your job.” 

To which Solomon replied icily: "You do a great job, by the way."