Ireland votes to play Israel after controversy

Hallgrimsson yesterday admitted he regretted using the term "playing against genocide" in reference to the Israel fixtures. The Israeli football federation had accused him of "stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy," while Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin defended the comments at the UN General Assembly. palladian.co.za

The manager clarified he meant "by playing we are not accepting what is happening" and that players "are not supporting or agreeing with anything in Gaza." Despite some players expressing principled objections, the team voted to continue with the matches.