Israel Football Association Strongly Denounces Ireland Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson Over 'Genocide' Remarks
The row has intensified as more than 160 Irish athletes call for a boycott and the Israel FA weighs a UEFA complaint.
- 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.
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While the Irish coach accepted that they are not comfortable playing against Israel; activists demand that no matches be played.
Ireland's national football coach Heimir Hallgrímsson shot against Israel against the Jewish state before the Nations League game on Sunday. Ireland plays "against the genocide", he said at a press conference.
Ireland and Israel will play in Hungary and Serbia, but the subject remains unpeaceful among Irish. Transmission will have no narrator or comment and selector openly spoke of "genocide".
Israel Football Association cites Nobel Prize winners in rant at Ireland coach
Israel Football Association cites Nobel Prize winners in rant at Ireland coach Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 09/22/2026 - 14:43 Ireland's Heimir Hallgrimsson accused of 'stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy' in IFA social media post Israel's football team lines up in Hungary before a World Cup 2026 qualifying game (AFP) Off The Israel Football Association (IFA) has accused Ireland’s head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson of “stupidity, ignorance and hy…
"Genocide", "Hypocrity": Before Nations League: Bout Between Ireland and Israel Escalates Completely
First there should be a boycott, then followed "genocide" accusations: Ireland's national team is in dispute with the Israeli before the two Nations League parties have even come to an end. Now the Israeli association is poking back aggressively.
Ireland's national coach Hallgrimsson, with his "People's Murder" statement, provides for a tangible eclectic event. The Israeli football association strikes back sharply.
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