Irish PM defends football chief after Israeli federation attack
The short version
- Israel's football federation accused Heimir Hallgrímsson of "stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy" over his Gaza war comments.
- Ireland's prime minister, Micheál Martin, backed the national team manager.
- Martin called the federation's remarks unacceptable and said they should be withdrawn.
- Martin spoke to reporters in New York while attending the UN general assembly.
Micheál Martin called the Israel FA's criticism of Heimir Hallgrímsson unacceptable and demanded it be retracted.
Israel's football federation has lashed out at Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, labeling his remarks about the conflict in Gaza as "stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy." The comments have drawn Ireland's head of government into the dispute.
Speaking to journalists in New York during the UN general assembly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin threw his support behind Hallgrímsson. He described the federation's words as unacceptable and called for them to be pulled back.
Martin added that Israel cannot continue rejecting what he described as facts the international community already recognizes.
The row centers on statements made by the Icelandic-born Ireland boss concerning the war, though the controversy has not affected his standing with the country's leadership.
