Israeli FA hits back at Irish coach after genocide remark

Tensions between Ireland and Israel have escalated after Irish national team coach Heimir Hallgrímsson made a controversial statement about genocide, shortly before the two countries meet twice in the Nations League. Now more than 160 Irish athletes are calling for a boycott of both fixtures. Jordi De Koninck Sport reported.

Response from the Israeli Football Association

To trace the origin of the vitriol, one must go back to last week. On Monday morning the Israeli Football Association responded on social media with a sharp tirade. ‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless areas and have achieved an impressive number of Nobel Prizes,’ read the first paragraph. The association then wrote: ‘Unfortunately we have not yet found a cure for the stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by the Irish national team coach. We do not play with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity. We play against the coach who embodies these traits.’

The Irish Football Association (FAI) has so far not given an official response to the statements of the Israeli association. The situation therefore remains tense.

Boycotts and political pressure

On Monday evening a protest by pro‑Palestinian supporters took place at the hotel where the Irish team was staying, as pressure to boycott the matches grew further. The demonstrators held up banners and shouted, attracting media attention.

More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter from the Irish Sport for Palestine Group, calling for a boycott of the two fixtures against Israel. The letter accuses the FAI, UEFA and the Irish government of negligence, but still mentions time to ‘show the power of sport to bring people together.’ The signatories emphasize that sport should be a platform for peace and justice.

In July the General Assembly of the FAI voted 75 in favour, 32 against and three abstentions for the continuation of the Nations League matches against Israel. The association had previously warned that a boycott would cause ‘significant and lasting damage’ and could mean a loss of €10.3 million. The €10.3 million financial estimate was backed by the FAI with possible loss of sponsorship revenue and television rights. Such a financial loss would seriously undermine the sporting ambitions of the FAI.

The first away match against Israel is scheduled for 27 September in Hungary, followed by the home match on 4 October in Serbia. All parties involved are now encouraged to continue the dialogue and seek a peaceful outcome.