Irish PM backs national team coach after criticism from Israel — Asharq Al-Awsat
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has backed the head coach of the country’s national football team, Heimir Hallgrímsson, following criticism from the Israel Football Association over his remarks about the war in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli association called the Icelandic coach’s statements “stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy.”
Irish prime minister’s reaction
Martin, who is in New York, United States, for the UN General Assembly, told reporters that such words directed at the Ireland national team coach were unacceptable and should be withdrawn. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the prime minister also said that Israel cannot deny what, in his view, is known and understood by the world.
Hallgrímsson made the statement ahead of two Nations League matches against Israel. He said that the team was not playing genocide but playing against it, clarifying that Ireland’s national team would play against Israel, not alongside it. Martin said these words reflected concerns over the scale of deaths and destruction in the Gaza Strip, and also referred to statements by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Israel rejects accusations that its actions in the Gaza Strip constitute genocide.
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Calls to boycott the matches
The matches are scheduled for September 27 and October 4. More than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter calling on the national team to boycott the games. On Monday, protesters gathered outside the team’s hotel in Dublin, while further demonstrations are planned in the country ahead of the matches.
Last November, the Football Association of Ireland adopted an appeal to UEFA asking for Israel to be suspended from international competitions, but did not receive support from European football authorities. The association said it had to play the matches to avoid sporting and financial sanctions.
The match nominally home for Ireland on October 4 was moved from Aviva Stadium in Dublin to Bačka Topola, Serbia, due to concerns over possible disruptions and security. The September 27 game, formally home for Israel, will be held at a neutral venue in Debrecen, Hungary.
