Israel Game Proceeds After Irish Player Vote

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson yesterday regretted his choice of words in comments about Ireland "playing against genocide" in reference to fixtures against Israel. After the Israel football federation accused Hallgrimsson of "stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy," Irish prime minister Micheál Martin responded from the UN general assembly: "Israel can't keep denying what the world knows, and what the world understands." sportnewz.click

Hallgrimsson clarified that players participating in matches against Israel "are not supporting or agreeing with anything in Gaza." One player announced they would not participate based on "faith and principles," saying "representing my country means everything to me" but feeling it would be wrong to take part in the fixtures against Israel.