Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson criticises Israel ahead of Nations League tie

Heimir Hallgrimsson has criticised Israel ahead of the two teams’ meeting in the Nations League.

Speaking at a news conference, the Republic of Ireland manager said: “We are not playing with genocide; we are playing against genocide.”

He added: “So we are playing against Israel and not playing with Israel. We hope to play good football because that is my job here.”

Hallgrimsson said his responsibility was to concentrate on football rather than wider issues.

“I was appointed here to focus on football-related matters, while others deal with other matters,” he said.

Republic of Ireland will face Israel in the first round of the Nations League on 27 September.