Ireland manager gets prime minister Martin’s backing in row with Israel over ‘genocide’

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin supported Ireland national football team manager Heimir Hallgrímsson following criticism from Israel's football federation. The Israeli FA accused Hallgrímsson of stupidity and hypocrisy after he commented that his team was playing against genocide ahead of upcoming Nations League matches against Israel. Speaking in New York, Martin described the Israeli federation's response as unacceptable and stated that the remarks should be withdrawn.

The controversy comes amid calls from more than 160 Irish sports figures to boycott the fixtures scheduled for September 27 and October 4. Both matches will take place at neutral venues, with the first in Debrecen, Hungary, and Ireland's designated home fixture moved to Backa Topola, Serbia, over security concerns.