Israeli football chiefs weigh sacking coach after 'humiliating' 3-0 loss to Ireland

Israeli football chiefs weigh sacking coach after 'humiliating' 3-0 loss to Ireland Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Mon, 09/28/2026 - 13:21 Israeli commentators called the first-half collapse in Hungary one of the most shameful nights in the national team's history, after the visiting side had weighed a boycott over the genocide in Gaza Israeli fans with flags after their team's defeat in the Nations League match against Ireland at the Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, Hungary, 27 September 2026 (Reuters/Bernadett Szabo) Off Israel's 3-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Sunday has prompted a wave of recrimination in Israeli football. Commentators called it one of the most shameful nights in the national team's history, and the Israel Football Association (IFA) is weighing whether to dismiss its head coach. Sources in the IFA told Israeli news site Ynet that they expected Ran Ben-Shimon to resign as the result "wasn't just another sporting defeat, it was a humiliation for every Israeli and Jew".

The match was played in Debrecen, Hungary. Ireland's players had weighed a boycott over the genocide in Gaza and decided only on Saturday, the day before kick-off, to take part. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew, citing "the atrocities in the region".

The teams did not shake hands before the match. Ireland's players bowed their heads during Israel's national anthem and wore black armbands in recognition of "all lives lost in the conflict", Irish broadcaster RTE reported. Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan all scored in the first half.

Israel was the home side, but the match was played in front of largely empty stands. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "In tough times, that's where you find your leaders, that's where characters step up," Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson told RTE after the game. "I think everybody that has watched the game saw proud Irishmen fight for their nation." Before the match, Hallgrimsson had said: "We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide.

We're playing against Israel, we're not playing with Israel." The IFA accused him of "stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy". 'Ashamed of what I saw' In the build-up, many in Israeli public discourse had treated the match as more than a sporting fixture. "I truly apologise to the people who sat at home expecting to see a fighting team," Ben-Shimon told Israeli media …

'A loss for Irish football': Ireland victory over Israel leaves sour taste Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Mon, 09/28/2026 - 12:39 Ireland won 3-0 against Israel in Hungary, but many at home had campaigned for the game not to happen Israel v Republic of Ireland - Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, Hungary - September 27, 2026 Israel fans with flags after the match (Bernadett Szabo/Reuters) Off Ireland’s football team beat Israel 3-0 in Hungary on Sunday night in a Uefa Nations League game many believed should never have taken place. Ireland’s players wore black armbands in memory of those killed in Israel’s Gaza genocide, bowed their heads while the Israeli national anthem played, and refused to shake the hand of their Israeli counterparts. The smattering of Israeli fans in the stands booed Ireland’s players, shouted “Fuck Ireland” and chanted “IDF, IDF!” in tribute to Israel’s army.