Israel Football Association Strongly Denounces Ireland Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson Over 'Genocide' Remarks
The row follows Hallgrímsson’s claim that many Ireland players are uncomfortable facing Israel and an open letter signed by more than 160 athletes.
- On Monday, September 21, 2026, ISRAELFA hit back at Ireland manager Hallgrimsson's comments, describing his remarks as 'stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy' in a post on their official X account.
- Hallgrimsson previously stated, 'We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide,' regarding matches against Israel, while acknowledging some players feel 'uncomfortable' participating in the contentious games.
- Meanwhile, 170 athletes signed an open letter from the Palestine Group urging the squad to 'act collectively with conscience' and boycott upcoming fixtures against Israel.
- The FAI moved the October 4th home match against Israel to Backa Topola, Serbia, citing 'operational challenges,' while the Israel FA reportedly approached Uefa regarding a potential complaint.
- Controversy has surrounded these fixtures since the Nations League draw in February, with Hallgrimsson previously questioning why Israel remains unsanctioned by Fifa and Uefa, unlike Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
42 Articles
42 Articles
More than 160 Irish athletes sign a letter against contesting the League of Nations qualifying party while the Israeli federation complains about the coach's "stupidity"
The upcoming matches between Ireland and Israel are under high tension. Both countries will soon play each other twice in the Nations League, but are on a collision course following statements exchanged between them. Meanwhile, 160 Irish athletes are calling for a boycott of the matches.
The Israeli Football Association reacted sharply to the statements made by the coach of the Irish national football team Heimir Hallgrimsson, which he made at a press conference ahead of Sunday's mutual match in the Nations League. In response to Hallgrimsson's statements, the Israelis wrote that “the cure for the stupidity of mankind has not yet been invented,” the British BBC reports.
Replying to Hallgrimsson's words on genocide
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