'Israel can't keep denying what the world knows': Taoiseach demands Israeli FA withdraw attack on Ireland boss Hallgrimsson

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026.

Hallgrimsson, who previously managed Iceland, has also argued that Israel should be excluded from international football competition entirely.

More than 120 Irish athletes added their names to an open letter on Monday urging the Irish team to pull out of the fixtures rather than face Israel.

Ireland's FA voted in July to fulfil the UEFA fixtures — 75 to 32 — after being warned it faced stiff financial penalties for failing to play.