Israel Football Association Mocks Ireland Coach Over 'Genocide' Remarks

The Football Association of Israel (FAI) issued a scathing response on September 21 to comments made by Ireland national team coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, who characterized upcoming Nations League matches against Israel as a "match against genocide." The FAI's statement, published on their official X account, directly addressed Hallgrímsson's remarks, which came amid calls in Ireland for a boycott of the games. Over 160 Irish sports figures had signed an open letter urging athletes to refuse participation, though the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) decided against canceling the matches.

Hallgrímsson stated, "I've said it before: we are not playing with genocide, we are playing against genocide. We are playing against Israel, not with Israel." In a blunt reply, the Israeli FA retorted, "We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach. We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity. We are playing against the coach who embodies them."

The first match is scheduled for September 27 at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, with a limited number of Israeli fans permitted but no Irish supporters allowed. The return leg will take place on October 4 at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia. This match, formally Ireland's home game, was moved from Ireland to a neutral venue by the FAI due to organizational and security concerns, despite pressure from pro-Palestinian activists. The FAI had previously voted 68% to 32% in favor of proceeding with the matches against Israel in July.