Unfortunately: Row over IFA: No cure for stupidity found

Before the first Nations‑League duel between Ireland and Israel, which will be played on Sunday in Hungary, a political dispute escalates, as activists gather today in front of the Irish team hotel and the Israeli football association IFA takes to social media sharply against coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and condemns his “genocide” remark.

IFA sharply criticizes Hallgrimsson

The Israeli football association IFA published a detailed statement via social media. “We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless areas and have won an impressive number of Nobel Prizes,” it said, followed by: “Unfortunately we have not yet found a cure for the stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by the Irish national coach. We do not play with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity – we play against the coach who embodies all that.”

Hallgrimsson had said when announcing his squad for the upcoming Nations‑League matches: “We do not play with genocide, we play against genocide. We play against Israel, we do not play with Israel.” The remarks immediately triggered a counter‑reaction from the IFA.

In response to the Icelandic coach’s statements, a protest took place on Monday evening in front of the Irish team hotel. Demonstrators held up placards and chanted against the coach’s stance.

The Irish football association FAI has so far not responded to the IFA’s sharp criticism. An official statement has yet to be issued.

Match dates and conditions

The two Nations‑League duels will take place next Sunday in Hungary and on October 4 in Serbia on neutral ground. The second match will also be played without spectators. Both fixtures are considered decisive for the group standings.

In Ireland, a boycott of the matches was initially discussed. More than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter calling for the games to be postponed. However, the FAI’s general assembly voted in July by a majority in favour of holding the matches.

The political context is intensified by the attack by the radical Islamist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which more than 1,200 people were killed. Israel responded with massive strikes in the Gaza Strip, with the Hamas‑controlled health ministry reporting more than 73,000 deaths.