The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, says criticism from the Israel Football Association (IFA) of Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson is “unacceptable.” Martin is in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly when he makes the remarks, supporting Hallgrimsson’s position.
The dispute centers on comments Hallgrimsson has made that relate to playing matches in the context of genocide. According to reporting, Martin says Israel should withdraw its criticism of the Ireland manager. Different outlets describe the same exchange from the perspective of the Taoiseach’s response, with a focus on the IFA’s public criticism and the position that Hallgrimsson’s stance should not be challenged in the way Israel’s football governing body is doing. The outlets agree on the key point that Martin criticizes the IFA’s approach but do not present new details that would change the underlying events described.
