Israel FA Accuses Ireland Boss Hallgrimsson of “Ignorance, Hypocrisy and Stupidity”

Israel's football association has fired back at Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, calling his recent comments "ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity."

The row started last week when Hallgrimsson was asked how he planned to keep his players focused ahead of two Nations League clashes with Israel. He replied: "We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide. We're playing against Israel, we're not playing with Israel."

Israel's FA responded on social media on Monday, saying: "We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach. We're not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we're playing against the coach who embodies them."

We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach. We’re not playing with…

— ISRAEL FA (@ISRAELFA) September 21, 2026

The Football Association of Ireland hasn't said anything in response. Meanwhile, fans protested outside the Ireland team's hotel on Monday night, adding to the growing calls for a boycott of the games.

The two sides meet in Hungary on 27 September, then again in Serbia on 4 October.

Background to the Row

The tension traces back to the war in Gaza, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's military response has since killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, according to UN estimates. Israel denies committing genocide or war crimes, saying its campaign in Gaza is self-defence.

Irish Athletes Push for a Boycott

More than 160 Irish sportspeople have now signed an open letter from the Irish Sport for Palestine Group calling on the team to skip the fixtures altogether. Big names on the list include Olympian Ciara Mageean, ex-Ireland international Louise Quinn, former rugby star Tony Ward, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan. GAA figures like Joe Brolly and Colm O'Rourke also signed, along with para-athlete Alan Dineen and frisbee player Stephen Jones, both of whom already boycotted matches against Israel earlier this year.

The letter argues that the FAI, UEFA and the Irish government should have stepped in long before now, but says it's not too late to act. It reads: "Putting on the Irish jersey and representing your country means something. But the Ireland we want represented is the one that remembers its roots in anti-colonial and anti-imperial resistance."

It adds: "Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do."

Why the Games are Still Going Ahead

Back in July, the FAI's General Assembly voted to play the fixtures anyway, with 75 delegates in favour and 32 against, plus three abstentions out of 114 total votes. The association has said pulling out would cause "significant and lasting harm" to Irish football and could cost around 10.3 million euros, roughly £9m.

Hallgrimsson has said he spoke to his squad one-on-one about the situation, admitting that "none of us feel comfortable playing in these games."

What's Next for Ireland

These will be Ireland's first competitive matches since their heartbreaking World Cup play-off exit to the Czech Republic back in March, which they lost on penalties. Since then, they've played four friendlies, beating Grenada and Qatar while drawing with North Macedonia and Canada.