Heimir Hallgrimsson at centre of row over Israel comments before Ireland’s Nations League ties | OneFootball

Heimir Hallgrimsson is at the centre of a dispute before Ireland face Israel in the Nations League, with both ties set for neutral venues.

L'Équipe reports that, before Sunday’s 20:45 meeting, the Ireland manager framed his stance as opposing genocide and said his team would play against Israel, not alongside it.

His remarks were condemned by Israel’s federation as stupid, ignorant and hypocritical. He later received backing from Ireland’s prime minister, Micheal Martin, who viewed the stance as reflecting concern over deaths and destruction in Gaza.

In October 2025 he had already questioned why Russia were sanctioned by FIFA and UEFA after invading Ukraine in February 2022, and not Israel. He previously co-led Iceland to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, beating England 2-1 then losing 2-5 to France.

As sole head coach he guided Iceland to the 2018 World Cup and a 1-1 draw with Argentina. He then led Al-Arabi from 2018 to 2021 and Jamaica from 2022 to 2024, joining Ireland in 2024. A trained dentist from Heimaey, he left the island during the 1973 eruption.

The Israel fixtures are scheduled for 27 September in Debrecen, Hungary, and 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia. In Ireland more than 160 athletes have urged a boycott and protesters gathered outside the team hotel on Monday. Non-compliance carries sporting and financial penalties, and the public broadcaster plans minimal coverage with international feed commentary only, and no studio, analysis or advertising.

Source: L'Équipe

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