Manager's genocide comments spark backlash

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said: "We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide." Israel's FA responded by calling him ignorant, hypocritical, and stupid.

“We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide.”

Israel FA posts scathing social media response

Israel's football body posted on X: "We have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by Ireland Football team coach." They accused him of embodying all three traits.

“We have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy”

Irish PM calls remarks unacceptable

Taoiseach Micheal Martin told reporters in New York that Israel's comments "are unacceptable remarks and should be withdrawn." He backed his manager's position on Gaza.

“They are unacceptable remarks and should be withdrawn”

Teams face two matches in neutral venues

Ireland and Israel will play Nations League fixtures on September 29 in Debrecen, Hungary and October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia. Both are neutral venues due to security concerns.

Irish athletes call for fixture boycott

Over 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter urging the FAI to withdraw from the matches because of the situation in Gaza. A protest was held at the Ireland team hotel in Dublin.

Gaza death toll and conflict background

Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people. Israel's military response in Gaza has killed over 73,000 according to the territory's health ministry, which the UN considers reliable.