Ireland v Austria game briefly halted by Stop the Game protesters
The first-half stoppage came as supporters protested Ireland’s planned fixtures against Israel, with UEFA set to review reports from the match.
- On Thursday, Ireland's Nations League match against Austria at Aviva Stadium was briefly suspended in the 19th minute when supporters of the #StopTheGame campaign threw tennis balls onto the pitch to protest the team's fixtures against Israel.
- Protesters described the action as the "1948 Protest," symbolizing solidarity with Palestinians regarding the Nakba, as the campaign opposes Ireland fulfilling Nations League fixtures against Israel since February's draw.
- Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from selection for both Israel fixtures, citing his stance on the war in Gaza; while included in Austria's squad, he remains unavailable for the upcoming Israel match.
- Later in the first half, a spectator ran onto the pitch carrying a Palestinian flag around the 35th minute, prompting security to immediately remove the individual and allow play to continue.
- Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed on Wednesday that Ireland intends to fulfill a behind-closed-doors "home" match against Israel on Sunday in Backa Topola, Serbia, despite the ongoing campaign opposition.
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39 Articles
Tennis balls with a political message interrupt the nation league game between Ireland and Austria. What's behind the action.
DUBLIN (AP) — Protesters opposing Ireland's participation in their League of Nations matches with Israel interrupted the team's meeting against Austria on Thursday by throwing tennis balls into the field.
Ireland game interrupted twice by Gaza protests
In the 19th minute, spectators threw tennis balls covered in Palestinian flag stickers onto the field. The players left the pitch for a few minutes before the match resumed. In the 35th minute, a man ran onto the pitch waving a Palestinian flag, briefly interrupting the match again. The game ended in a 2–2 draw. Ireland's Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said afterwards that "you are never happy with this (protests), but understand it and…
The war in Gaza remains a theme in Ireland's parties by the Nations League of Europe.
Ireland plays in a draw against Austria in the Nations League. But the game becomes a side-effect because fans use the game to demonstrate against Israel. In a strange way.
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