Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has condemned the Israel Football Association’s criticism of Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, calling the remarks “unacceptable” and demanding their withdrawal. The controversy erupted after Hallgrímsson characterized Ireland’s upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Israel as “playing against genocide,” sparking a sharp rebuke from the Israeli association, which labeled the coach’s comments as “stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy.”
Martin’s defense of Hallgrímsson came during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, where he also highlighted humanitarian concerns in Gaza. The prime minister stressed that the Israeli federation’s response was unwarranted and should be rescinded, reflecting the sensitive nature of the political climate surrounding the matches.
The Republic of Ireland and Israel are set to face off twice in the UEFA Nations League. The first match is scheduled for September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, while the second will take place on October 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. Both matches are being held at neutral venues, with the latter game taking place behind closed doors, a decision possibly influenced by the ongoing tensions.
Within Ireland, the fixtures have provoked significant controversy, with calls from various sports figures advocating for a boycott. Despite the uproar, the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that the matches will proceed as planned, citing potential repercussions of withdrawing from the competition.