The Israel Football Association (IFA) planned to file a formal complaint with UEFA against the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), citing comments by Irish national team coach Heimir Hallgrimsson accusing Israel of “genocide”, as well as protests by Irish players during Israel’s national anthem, The Times reported on Monday.
The complaint was also expected to address the treatment of Israeli journalists during press conferences before and after the two countries’ Nations League matches, according to a separate N12 report.
“We are not playing with genocide; we are playing against genocide. We are playing against Israel; we are not playing with Israel,” Hallgrimsson said ahead of the September fixtures.
Irish players also bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem and did not participate in pre-match handshakes, N12 reported. A press conference was also interrupted following heated exchanges involving Israeli journalists.
UEFA examines Israeli fans’ conduct
The planned complaint came as UEFA was separately examining allegations of racist chants by Israeli supporters directed at Irish players during the matches. The IFA denied the allegations, according to N12.
The two Nations League matches, played in Hungary and Serbia in September and October, ended in a 3-0 win for Ireland and a 1-1 draw. N12 reported that any disciplinary action resulting from the complaint would not affect the results or lead to the matches being replayed, but could result in fines or suspensions.
