The Israeli Football Association (IFA) issued sharp criticism against the head coach of Ireland, Heimir Hallgrímsson, accusing him of 'stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy,' while simultaneously highlighting the significant number of Nobel Prizes won by Israelis.
In a social media post on Monday evening, the IFA stated: 'We have contributed to peace and humanity in many fields, achieving an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way.' The association continued: 'Unfortunately, we have yet to find a cure for the stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy demonstrated by the coach of the @IrelandFootball team. We are not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy, and stupidity; we are playing against a coach who embodies them.'
This post followed comments made by Hallgrímsson last week in response to a question about how difficult it would be to maintain player concentration on football during the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. The Icelandic coach of Ireland stated: 'We are not playing with genocide; we are playing against genocide. We are playing against Israel; we are not playing with Israel.'
The Nations League, an international tournament involving European teams, starts this week. Ireland and Israel are in Group G alongside Austria and Kosovo. Ireland will play Kosovo on Thursday, followed by a match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, on September 27, after which they will meet on October 4 in Baku Topola, Serbia.
The match in Serbia is technically considered a home game for Ireland because the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) moved it from Dublin, citing 'operational issues' that could 'affect the hosting of the game on home soil.' Israel's first match on Thursday will be against Austria in Linz.
In July, Rebecca O'Kiff from the group Irish Sport For Palestine (ISFP), which advocates for the cessation of Ireland's games against Israel, informed MEE: 'We are exploring all avenues of action. We are contacting local Palestinian groups in Austria, civil society organizations, and will work with them.'
International and European club matches in Israel have not taken place since October 2023 due to security concerns. In light of the unfolding genocide in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of 74,000 Palestinians, including over 1,000 athletes, several international football associations have called for the suspension of Israel's participation in matches.
In March, FIFA, the governing body of international football, accused the IFA of undermining the reputation of the game but did not ban the Israeli association, imposing a fine of $190,000. In November 2025, FAI members passed an official resolution by overwhelming majority, instructing its council to appeal to UEFA, the governing body of European football, demanding the immediate suspension of the Israeli Football Association's activities.
Despite a long-running and ongoing popular campaign in Ireland to 'cease games' against Israel, they will still take place, as the debt-laden FAI states the need to generate revenue. At a press briefing last Friday, the association's head, David Currell, mentioned the 'injustices' occurring in Gaza and stated that the FAI, like any other, opposes Israel continuing football matches.
Currell noted: 'It is true to say that the FAI wishes we would not be in this situation. We have clearly expressed our position due to violations of the statutes (UEFA), according to which Israel should not play these matches.'
Over 160 high-profile Irish athletes signed an open letter to the Ireland team on Monday, urging them to 'act with conscience collectively and not play against Israel.' Among the signatories of the letter, prepared by the Irish Sport for Palestine group, are rugby player Tony Ward, Gaelic footballer Joe Broly, and Colm O'Rourke, as well as runner Kiara Magin.