Irish PM backs coach after criticism from Israel - Asharq Al-Awsat

--> Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has backed the head coach of the country’s national football team, Heimir Hallgrímsson, following criticism from the Israel Football Association over his remarks about the war in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli association called the Icelandic coach’s statements “stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy.”

Martin, who is in New York, United States, for the UN General Assembly, told reporters that such words directed at the Ireland national team coach were unacceptable and should be withdrawn. According to Asharq Al-Awsat , the prime minister also said that Israel cannot deny what, in his view, is known and understood by the world.