Israel to File UEFA Complaint Over Ireland Coach's Genocide Comments

The Israel Football Association is preparing a formal complaint against the Football Association of Ireland, according to a report by The Times on Monday. The filing will focus on statements made by Ireland's national team manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, who accused Israel of genocide before the September fixtures. Hallgrimsson said, "We are not playing with genocide; we are playing against genocide. We are playing against Israel; we are not playing with Israel."

The complaint will also address on-field behavior during the two matches. Irish players reportedly bowed their heads while Israel's national anthem played and skipped the standard pre-match handshakes. Tensions extended to the press box as well. N12 reported that one press conference was interrupted by heated exchanges involving Israeli journalists. The IFA intends to include this incident in its submission to UEFA.

The two Nations League games took place on neutral ground in Europe. Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in Hungary in September. The teams met again in Serbia in October, where the match ended in a 1-1 draw. While the IFA prepares its own complaint, UEFA is separately investigating allegations of racist chanting by Israeli supporters directed at Irish players. The IFA denied those specific claims, according to N12.

If UEFA acts on the complaint, it may impose fines or suspensions. N12 noted that disciplinary measures would not alter the final scores or require the matches to be replayed. The IFA expects to submit the documents to the governing body in the coming days.