# Ireland manager's Gaza comments spark Israel FA row

> Irish PM condemns Israel Football Association's attack on manager Heimir Hallgrimsson over his remarks about playing against genocide.
- Title: Ireland manager's Gaza comments spark Israel FA row | Shortify
- Summary: Irish PM condemns Israel Football Association's attack on manager Heimir Hallgrimsson over his remarks about playing against genocide. Political tensions…
- Keywords: heimir hallgrimsson, israel football association, republic of ireland, micheal martin, gaza, nations league, football diplomacy, political controversy, sports, Ireland, manager's, comments
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cmkgw0drzr38o
- Published: 2026-09-22T19:23:46.458+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: heimir hallgrimsson, israel football association, republic of ireland, micheal martin, gaza, nations league, football diplomacy, political controversy, sports
## 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Taoiseach Micheal Martin told reporters in New York that Israel's comments "are unacceptable remarks and should be withdrawn."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 They are unacceptable remarks and should be withdrawn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.
## Key takeaway

Political tensions over the Gaza conflict are now directly affecting football diplomacy, with national leaders weighing in on player and manager statements.