Israel FA brands Hallgrimsson’s remarks as stupidity and hypocrisy

On 22 September the Israel Football Association launched a blistering attack on Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, accusing him of “stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy” after his comments ahead of the Nations League meetings.

Hallgrimsson’s controversial wording

Hallgrimsson had been asked last week how he would keep his players focused on football while calls for a boycott grew in Ireland. He replied, “I’ve said before, we’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.”

The Israel FA responded on Monday via its official social‑media channels, saying the nation has contributed to humanity with “an impressive number of Nobel Prizes” but has yet to find “a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach.” It added, “We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity. We’re playing against the coach who embodies them.”

Political and sporting fallout

The Irish Football Association declined to comment on Monday night, but Hallgrimsson is expected to face further questioning before Ireland’s Nations League opener against Kosovo on Thursday.

His use of the word “genocide” adds tension to an already difficult international window; a UN Commission of Inquiry last year concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel rejects.

More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter urging a boycott, and protesters gathered outside the team hotel on Monday evening. UEFA rejected an FAI request to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future draws, noting such restrictions are assessed case‑by‑case.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ will fulfil its contractual duty to show both Israel matches but will drop studio presentation and punditry, using international‑feed commentary and removing advertising. The FAI has also stripped sponsor branding from most activities during the window.

Ireland will meet Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, then play the return fixture behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, Serbia, on 4 October. Despite boycott calls, FAI members voted in July to fulfil the games, estimating that walking away would cost around €5.5 million immediately, not counting further losses from potential relegation and reduced UEFA, ticketing and sponsorship income.