The UEFA Nations League match between Ireland and Austria was temporarily halted in protest against Israel. In the 20th minute of the match at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, fans threw hundreds of tennis balls onto the pitch.
Some of the tennis balls carried Palestinian flags and stickers reading “Stop the game.” The action was organized by the Ireland Sports for Palestine campaign, which is calling for Sunday’s planned match between Ireland and Israel not to take place.
The match resumed after security staff cleared the balls from the pitch. Around the 35th minute, a fan entered the field carrying a Palestinian flag and was escorted out by security personnel.
Match ends 2-2
Ireland took a 2-0 lead in the first half with two goals from Troy Parrott. Austria equalized in the second half through goals from Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch.
The result took Ireland to four points and leaders Austria to seven. Israel remain bottom of the group with one point.
Protests continue ahead of Israel match
Ireland’s previous match against Israel, played in Debrecen, Hungary, ended in a 3-0 victory for Ireland. Irish players wore black armbands during the match, lowered their heads during the Israeli national anthem and did not take part in the traditional pre-match handshake between the two teams.
Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu also withdrew from the squad because of his personal decision not to play in the match against Israel, before returning to the national team ahead of the Austria game.
Calls for Ireland’s second match against Israel to be canceled or boycotted continue. The “Stop the Game” campaign said it would continue its protests while calling on the players and coaching staff not to take part in the match.
The match between Ireland and Israel will be played behind closed doors on Sunday in Bačka Topola, Serbia, for security reasons.
