Ireland coach wants UEFA to keep team apart from Israel after contentious games
Ireland's national soccer team, led by coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, has requested UEFA to separate the Irish and Israeli teams in future competitions following their contentious Nations League matches. The matches took place in Serbia and Hungary, respectively, a week apart, both of which were fraught with tension due to Israel's actions in Gaza.
The players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem, a gesture repeated by both sides in the second match. Hallgrímsson expressed empathy for Ireland's situation and suggested UEFA should intervene to prevent similar incidents. The buildup to the matches was marked by calls for a boycott in Ireland, citing Israel's actions in Gaza.
Despite the ongoing strife, Ireland is set to co-host the 2028 European Championship with other European nations. Relations between Ireland and Israel are unlikely to improve after their on-field confrontations, which saw players and staff involved in altercations before and during the matches.
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