“Not Playing With Genocide, But Against It”: Ireland Coach on Israel Match Amid Boycott Calls

Dublin (QNN)- Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson said last week that he had spoken individually with his players about facing Israel in the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, acknowledging that “none of us feel comfortable playing these games.” He later said: “We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.”

In a statement Monday evening, the Israel Football Association (IFA) said: “We have not yet found a cure for the stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by Ireland’s national team coach. We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.”

Meanwhile, the Irish Sport for Palestine Group said on Monday that more than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter asking the Irish national team to boycott their upcoming fixtures against Israel.

“This is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing,” the letter said.

“Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do. Through your leadership and courage, it would show the power of sport to unite, remind us of the shared values that connect us all, and have an impact far beyond the game.”