Heimir Hallgrimsson has called on Irish fans to give his players some slack around the Israel match fixture debate as the FAI prepare for a backlash from supporters on the same subject at Thursday night’s Aviva Stadium friendly against Qatar.
Hallgrimsson again voiced his own opposition to the Israeli war effort in Gaza at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday as the controversy continues over the National League games against Israel, scheduled for September away and October at home.
“Obviously focusing on the football side of things, I’ve already expressed my opinion on this matter, you don’t need to repeat that one,” he told RTÉ Sport at Wednesday’s press conference.
“But from a footballing perspective, it’s an obstacle I don’t like, and it’s unfair for the players to be in this position and us to be in this position. I don’t like us to be the bad guys. We are not the bad guys here. We just want to perform, we want to play, and the players would like to perform for the country and do well.
“I think the best answer for us is just to win this game, to win this war against them. That would be a perfect answer from my end. Other decisions are not made by us, but all the players would like to represent the country and do well for them, no matter who is the opponent.”
Hallgrimsson also voiced concerns over any bid to move the home match against Israel to a neutral venue.
He added: “It would obviously be a disadvantage from footballing reasons not to play at home. We’ve done really well at home. Hopefully, we’ll continue that against Qatar. So it’s building to be a strong fortress for us, the Aviva. And to move it, obviously, will lower our chances.
“So I hope people can rally around the players and us playing. So instead of protesting or doing something that’s damaging.”
Seamus Coleman intends to enjoy the next two Ireland fixtures, against Qatar on Thursday night and Canada next weekend, and then take a holiday before deciding on his club future. But it looks like he intends to play on for his country.
“I have always said in my career, family first, football second, they are the only two things going for me, family and football,” he told RTÉ Sport ahead of the Qatar game.
“So family will absolutely come into it, but I honestly haven’t thought too much about a club or what is next. I am looking forward to these two Ireland games and am looking forward to going on holiday, but in football, you never know what will happen. Just see what is next, if it feels right or if it doesn’t.”
Ireland looks to be a part of that decision with Coleman looking to stay around long enough to feature at the Euro 28 finals.
He added: “I think it was just a conversation with the manager on the bus, just after training one day that got me thinking again. I wasn’t necessarily thinking about it, but I also know I have a responsibility to stay fit and stay active and to be performing, because it is not a given, of course.
“The carrot of the Euros and the manager at the moment wanting me to be around is definitely very tempting.”
Campaigners have circulated a letter to General Assembly members asking them to back a proposal to force the FAI to hold an EGM on Ireland’s scheduled Nations League game at home to Israel in October.
The Irish Sun’s Owen Cowzer reports that FAI members are seeking an EGM to put forward a motion calling on Ireland to refuse to play Israel.
The backers of the proposal include the Professional Footballers Association, the Irish Football Supporters Partnership, CK United, Cork City and Bohemians.
The FAI have insisted the games against Israel must go ahead home and away while Sports Ministers Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue told the Oireachtas on Thursday that they will be staying away from the fixtures.
Kasper Schmeichel’s Celtic career is over and his playing days have come to an end after the Danish goalkeeper accepted the full repercussions of a shoulder injury that will take at least a year to recover.
Sky Sports reports that the 39-year-old has announced his retirement less than a week after Celtic completed the double in Celtic but without him, due to that injury.
“When my contract with Celtic expires in June, I will stop my active football career,” Schmeichel announced. “It is a decision that has been made for me.
“I have consulted various surgeons and experts in relation to my shoulder, and they have told me that I should not expect to return to playing top football. I have given the decision a lot of thought, but I believe that now is the right time.”
Michael O’Neill has extended his Northern Ireland contract by another four years and will now manage his country until 2032 after turning down an offer to manage Blackburn Rovers full-time after a successful spell as interim boss at Ewood Park when he kept them in the Championship.
