Ireland's Manager Focuses on Victory Amid Controversy Over Israel Matches
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has directed his squad to focus on their upcoming matches against Israel, despite ongoing controversy surrounding the Nations League fixtures. The games are set for a neutral venue on 27 September and in Dublin on 4 October. The team is currently caught up in a broader debate, as highlighted by protests at the Dáil, the Irish parliament, on Wednesday regarding the fixtures. Hallgrimsson, who previously advocated for Israel's exclusion from competitions due to military actions in Gaza, addressed the situation by emphasizing the need to concentrate on football. He stated: "Focusing on the football side of things, I’ve already expressed my opinion on this matter, you don’t need to repeat that one." Acknowledging the team's challenging position, he remarked: "It’s an obstacle I don’t like, and it’s unfair for the players to be in this position... We are not the bad guys here." Hallgrimsson expressed the players' desire to perform well for their country, asserting: "I think the best answer for us is just to win this game. That would be a perfect answer from my end." Israel has been playing its World Cup qualifiers at neutral venues, and discussions are ongoing about potentially relocating the Dublin fixture at the Aviva Stadium, which the Football Association of Ireland aims to keep. Hallgrimsson voiced concerns about losing home advantage: "It would obviously be a disadvantage from footballing reasons not to play at home. We’ve done really well at home." He urged the public to support the players rather than protest, aiming to maintain the Aviva Stadium as a stronghold for the team.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-27