The Israeli FA condemned remarks about Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson as 'unacceptable'. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the comments breach sporting spirit.
The Israel Football Association issued an official statement on 22 September 2026 declaring that comments made about Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson are "unacceptable" and breach the principles of sporting spirit.
The statement followed Hallgrimsson's remarks criticizing certain refereeing decisions in a recent international fixture, which quickly sparked reactions across the football community.
Ireland's response
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, speaking at a press conference, expressed strong disappointment, describing the remarks as "a misuse of the sporting platform" and insisting that such comments are inconsistent with the values governing inter‑association relations.
- Israeli FA: "The comments are unacceptable."
- Martin: "We demand mutual respect between federations."
- Hallgrimsson: No direct reply to the statement.
The dispute emerges as Ireland prepares for upcoming Euro qualifying matches, with Hallgrimsson aiming to strengthen the squad and improve performance.
The Israeli FA stressed its commitment to constructive dialogue and to avoiding statements that could damage sporting spirit. The Irish FA spokesperson added that any external interference must be limited to respectful discourse.
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