The Israel FA has accused Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson of “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity” in comments made last week.
During his squad announcement for the upcoming Nations League games which include two fixtures against Israel on 27 September and 4 October, Hallgrimsson said: “We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel,” when the subject of keeping his players focused on the games was raised.
On Monday, Israel’s football body hit back on those comments on social media, 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.”
The Football Association of Ireland has not responded to the Israel FA’s comments, with a protest also taking place at the Republic of Ireland team’s hotel on Monday evening as pressure to boycott the fixtures continues to build.
The armed Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive in Gaza, during which more than 73,000 people have been killed, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN.
Israel has repeatedly denied that it has committed genocide, as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity. It says its military operations in Gaza have been conducted in self-defence and in accordance with international law.
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