Irlanda coach backs Palestina before Israel Nations Liga tie

Ireland’s head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson told Olé he continues to back Palestina ahead of the Nations Liga clash with Israel, while conceding he had used an overly strong term to describe his opponents. He also warned that nobody feels comfortable playing the match given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Misused terminology

When asked about his description of Israel, Hallgrímsson said the word he chose was “very strong” and not the appropriate term.

He explained, “It is a very strong word and it was not the right word for me to use.”

He noted that support for Palestina is especially strong across Europe and that the pressure has been growing day by day.

He added that it is now approaching a near‑limit point.

Hallgrímsson stressed that playing the fixture does not mean Ireland accepts what is happening in Gaza.

He said nobody is comfortable with the match for many reasons and the team is trying to handle the situation as best as possible.

“We do not play with genocide, we play against genocide,” he asserted.

“We play against Israel, not with Israel,” he added.

He acknowledged that none of his players feel comfortable with the game, yet the squad has elected to go ahead with it.

The decision reflects a collective effort to balance sporting commitments with moral concerns.

Match logistics and future fixture

Hallgrímsson said he has not received an explanation why Russia was sanctioned while Israel was not.

He confessed he may have touched on topics he should not have and said things he perhaps ought not to have said, but insisted he tried to be honest.

The Iceland‑born manager led his national side at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

His experience on the world stage informs his current approach with the Ireland team.

Ireland and Israel will meet on Sunday 27 September at 15.45 Argentine time for the second group‑stage fixture of the Nations Liga.

The encounter forms part of the competition’s ongoing schedule.

A return match is set for 4 October in Serbia behind closed doors, using a neutral venue agreed by the FAI in July to avoid conflict.

Both associations hope the arrangement will minimise tension.