The Israeli government has compared the Republic of Ireland national football team to Nazi Germany following a pair of controversial Nations League fixtures. The two sides met twice in recent days, with both matches overshadowed by political tension.
Anthem gesture sparks government response
Ireland's players bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before Sunday's 1-1 draw, maintaining a stance they had taken ahead of their earlier 3-0 victory, when they also refused to shake hands. There had been calls for Ireland to boycott the matches over the conflict in Gaza before the squad voted to play.
Israel wore black armbands at the neutral venue in Backa Topola, Serbia, in tribute to victims of the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Shortly after kick-off, the Israeli government posted on X, drawing attention to Ireland's match against Germany in May 1939.
The post read: "While some use the football field as their political theatre, for us this is personal. 1939: Irish players raised their arms in salute to Nazi Germany. 2026: Irish players bowed their heads during Israel's anthem."
It continued: "Different generations. The same moral blindness. Today, Israel's players wear black armbands to remember those brutally massacred by Hamas on October 7 - including former professional footballer Lior Asulin. Some of us have skin in the game. Others just make a show of it."
Spitting allegation and manager's response
On the pitch, Troy Parrott's penalty gave Ireland a first-half lead before Dor Peretz equalised after the interval. The fixture produced another contentious moment, with The Irish Times reporting a claim by an Ireland backroom team member that an Israel player spat at him as both squads walked off at half-time.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed the spitting allegation but said he had not seen the incident. The previous day, his pre-match media briefing was cut short after an Israeli journalist questioned him about alleged racial abuse of Israel players by the Ireland squad.
Manager urges UEFA action
After the draw, Hallgrimsson praised his team for keeping their composure given the tension. Ireland sit third in their Nations League section with five points from four matches, level with second-placed Kosovo.
Asked whether the teams should face each other, he told RTE Sport: "No, they shouldn't. That's not ours to decide - that's UEFA who decides that."
He added: "There's obviously a big support for Palestine in Ireland. There's not many countries that support Palestine as much as Ireland does. I wouldn't wish any national team to go through what we've gone through in these two weeks. So maybe UEFA just needs to step in and do something."
