# Ireland manager backed by PM in Israel genocide row

> Prime minister Micheál Martin defends football manager Heimir Hallgrímsson after Israel's FA attacks his Gaza comments.
- Title: Ireland manager backed by PM in Israel genocide row | Shortify
- Summary: Prime minister Micheál Martin defends football manager Heimir Hallgrímsson after Israel's FA attacks his Gaza comments. Political leaders can publicly…
- Keywords: heimir hallgrímsson, micheál martin, ireland football, israel football federation, gaza war, genocide allegations, nations league, political backing, sports diplomacy, palestinian cause, sports, Ireland
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/23/ireland-manager-heimir-hallgrimsson-prime-minister-micheal-martin-israel-genocide-gaza
- Author: Agence France-Presse
- Published: 2026-09-23T09:31:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: heimir hallgrímsson, micheál martin, ireland football, israel football federation, gaza war, genocide allegations, nations league, political backing, sports diplomacy, palestinian cause, sports
## Manager's Gaza comments spark row
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson said before Nations League matches against Israel: "We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide." Israel's football federation responded by calling him stupid, ignorant, and hypocritical.

> We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide.
## Prime minister defends the manager
Micheál Martin told reporters at the UN general assembly that Israel's response was unacceptable and should be withdrawn. He said Hallgrímsson's comments reflected legitimate concerns about death and destruction in Gaza.

> I think those are unacceptable remarks; they should be withdrawn.
## Hallgrímsson reflects on the fallout
The manager acknowledged his comments drew unwanted attention before Thursday's match in Kosovo. He expressed gratitude for Martin's support but said the focus should be on the game itself.

> Maybe, from a leadership point of view, not clever for me to take the attention like this.
## Irish athletes and fans protest
More than 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Israel matches. Protesters gathered outside the team's Dublin hotel on Monday, with more demonstrations planned before the September 27 and October 4 fixtures.
## Matches moved to neutral venues
Ireland's home match on October 4 was moved from Dublin's Aviva Stadium to Backa Topola, Serbia over security concerns. The September 27 match will be played in Debrecen, Hungary instead of Israel.
## Ireland's long support for Palestine
Ireland formally recognised a Palestinian state in 2024 alongside Spain and Norway. The country has repeatedly criticised Israel's Gaza conduct, with Palestinian sympathy historically linked to Ireland's own experience under British rule.
## Key takeaway

Political leaders can publicly support athletes who speak out on geopolitical issues, even when it creates diplomatic friction.