Israel Football Association prepared UEFA complaint against Ireland over coach's genocide remarks, report says

The Israel Football Association planned to submit a formal complaint to UEFA against the Football Association of Ireland, according to a report by The Times on Monday. The complaint centers on remarks by Ireland's national team coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, who accused Israel of genocide, as well as protests carried out by Irish players during Israel's national anthem.

A separate report by N12 indicated that the complaint was also expected to cover the treatment of Israeli journalists at press conferences held before and after the Nations League matches between the two countries.

Speaking ahead of the September fixtures, Hallgrimsson made comments that drew sharp attention. "We are not playing with genocide; we are playing against genocide. We are playing against Israel; we are not playing with Israel," he said.

According to N12, Irish players also staged on-field gestures of protest, bowing their heads while Israel's national anthem played and declining to take part in the customary pre-match handshakes.

Tensions extended beyond the pitch. One press conference was interrupted after heated exchanges involving Israeli journalists, an incident that was set to feature in the complaint.

The planned move by the IFA came at a time when UEFA was separately looking into allegations of racist chanting by Israeli supporters aimed at Irish players during the matches. The IFA denied those allegations, N12 reported.

The two Nations League encounters took place on neutral ground, with the teams meeting in Hungary in September and in Serbia in October. Ireland won the first match 3-0, while the second ended in a 1-1 draw.

N12 noted that any disciplinary measures stemming from the complaint would not change the results or force the matches to be replayed. Possible sanctions, however, could include fines or suspensions.