Israel Football Association Slams Ireland Coach Over 'Genocide' Remark

The Israel Football Association has issued a scathing response to comments made by Ireland national team coach Stephen Kenny, who referred to the ongoing conflict in Israel as 'genocide' and stated his team was playing 'against genocide.' The Israeli association, waiting until after Yom Kippur to respond, called Kenny's remarks a display of 'stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy.'

The controversy erupted as the Israeli and Irish national football teams are scheduled to play two matches in the UEFA Nations League. Kenny, during a press conference, used the term 'genocide' to describe the situation in Israel, a politically and legally contentious definition. He stated, 'We don't play with genocide, we play against genocide. We play against Israel, we don't play with Israel.'

The Israeli Football Association, currently with the national team in Austria, learned of the comments upon arrival but opted to delay their official response until after the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Their statement, released post-Yom Kippur, declared, 'We have managed to contribute to the world in many areas, including an impressive number of Nobel Prizes. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy, as demonstrated by the coach of the Irish national team.' The association added, 'We don't play with ignorance, hypocrisy, and stupidity, but against those who represent them as a coach.'

Sources within the Israeli FA indicated that a formal complaint to UEFA might be considered due to Kenny's remarks, emphasizing that such language directed at Israel cannot be ignored. This is not the first time the Ireland coach has publicly commented on Israel's participation in international competitions. Previously, he questioned why Russia was suspended for its invasion of Ukraine while Israel continued to participate in international tournaments, though he has also opposed a unilateral boycott by his team.

Kenny's comments come amid significant pressure within Ireland to boycott the matches. Over 160 Irish sports figures have signed an open letter urging players not to participate, organized by 'Irish Sport for Palestine.' The Irish trade union SIPTU has also expressed support for those refusing to be involved with the games. Despite this pressure, the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed the team will play the matches.

The matches themselves have been relocated due to security concerns. Israel's 'home' match will be played in Debrecen, Hungary, on September 27, and the second match will take place in Bačka Topola, Serbia, on October 4, after the Irish FA cited 'operational challenges' for not hosting it in Dublin. The Serbian match is expected to be played without spectators. Israel has not hosted international home games since October 2023.