Protesters opposed to Ireland playing its Nations League matches against Israel disrupted Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Austria by throwing tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags onto the field.
Referee Allard Lindhout stopped play and sent the players for a hydration break after the balls landed on the pitch with Ireland leading 1-0 after 19 minutes.
“I think it kind of helped us at a good moment,” Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson told broadcaster RTE. “We could have a breather and some drinks. But you’re never happy with this, but understand it and respect it.”
Troy Parrott had given Ireland the lead in the 12th minute with an impressive individual effort. Surrounded by three defenders, Parrott threaded the ball through one opponent’s legs, evaded two others and then fired it through the goalkeeper’s legs to score.
Play resumed after a four-minute interruption, but the match was briefly halted again when a man carrying a Palestinian flag ran onto the field before stewards stopped him.
Ireland ultimately surrendered its lead as Austria fought back for a 2-2 draw.
At halftime, RTE published a statement from the “Stop the Game” initiative claiming responsibility for the tennis ball action and declaring it over.
Members of the group had also gathered before the game to oppose Ireland’s matches against Israel because of Israel’s actions in Gaza. A small gathering displayed a Palestinian flag and banners in support of Ireland player Gavin Bazunu, who decided Saturday to boycott both of his team’s matches against Israel.
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign also organized a protest outside the stadium, as well as others around the country.
They are calling for Ireland to boycott its remaining Nations League match against Israel, Ireland’s “home” game, although it is set to be played without fans in Bačka Topola, Serbia, on Sunday.
The Football Association of Ireland moved the game to a neutral venue for “operational reasons” in June following widespread calls for a boycott. It also followed the FAI’s own motion the previous November calling on UEFA to ban Israel from club and international competitions.
The “Stop the Game” initiative, which issued an open letter to the squad and Hallgrimsson on Wednesday asking them not to play Sunday’s match, has also asked the Irish government and FAI to cancel the game.
Ireland already played Israel’s “home” game in Debrecen, Hungary, last Sunday, when the Irish players wore black armbands and scored three first-half goals to win 3-0.
The players deliberated for hours Saturday on whether they should play at all after Bazunu informed the coach that morning that he wished to withdraw from both games.
FAI chief executive David Courell said the players voted and that “a significant majority” were in favor of playing. Widespread reports suggested the vote was 14-8 in favor, excluding Bazunu, who had already departed.
Bazunu, Ireland’s reserve goalkeeper, was back in the squad for Austria’s visit.
Finn Azaz, whose mother has Israeli heritage, started after being left out against Israel.
Parrott made it 2-0 before the break with a penalty, but Austria struck back in the second half through Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch.
The Irish team has been coming under increasing pressure in Ireland, where affinity with Palestinians is strong, to boycott both games against Israel.
The FAI has resisted the calls, arguing that the team could face punishing sanctions from UEFA. Ireland is co-hosting the 2028 European Championship with England, Wales and Scotland.
Irish fans also threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags onto the field during Ireland’s friendly game against Qatar in Dublin in May.
