Micheal Martin backs Heimir Hallgrimsson after criticism of Israel | OneFootball

Ireland’s prime minister Micheal Martin has backed national coach Heimir Hallgrimsson after his criticism of Israel ahead of their Nations League meetings.

According to L'Équipe, speaking on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, Martin said Hallgrimsson’s stance reflected concern over the scale of deaths and destruction in Gaza. He added that Israel could not continue to deny what he said the world knows.

Hallgrimsson had said last week that his team would be playing against genocide and against Israel, not with Israel. On Monday the Israel Football Association denounced him as showing stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy. Martin called that response unacceptable and said it should be withdrawn.

The two matches have drawn strong opposition in Ireland, with more than 160 athletes signing an open letter urging a boycott. Protesters gathered outside the national team’s Dublin hotel on Monday, and further demonstrations are planned nationwide.

The Football Association of Ireland passed a motion in November 2025 asking UEFA to suspend Israel from international competition, but it received no backing from European football officials. The FAI said it has little room to manoeuvre and must play both Nations League games or risk sporting and financial sanctions.

Israel’s designated home match on 27 September will be staged on neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary. Ireland’s home game on 4 October has been moved to Backa Topola in Serbia for security reasons.

Source: L'Équipe

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