Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Ireland-Austria Nations League Match With Tennis Balls
Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted a soccer match in Dublin by throwing tennis balls decorated with Palestinian flags onto the field.
The referee stopped the game briefly while the players took a break.
Another person carrying a Palestinian flag tried to run onto the field but was stopped.
Ireland later drew 2-2 with Austria.
The protest group said it wanted Ireland to stop playing matches against Israel.
It says this is because of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Ireland’s soccer organization says refusing to play could bring punishments from UEFA.
The Irish players voted by a large majority to play the matches.
Ireland had already defeated Israel 3-0 in an earlier game.
Protesters threw Palestinian-flag tennis balls onto the pitch during Ireland’s 2-2 draw with Austria in Dublin.
The referee paused play for four minutes and later stewards stopped a man carrying a Palestinian flag from entering the field.
The Stop the Game initiative claimed responsibility and urged Ireland to boycott its remaining Nations League match against Israel.
Ireland’s players voted by a significant majority to play the two Israel fixtures, despite calls for a boycott.
Ireland had already beaten Israel 3-0 in Hungary, while the Football Association of Ireland cited possible UEFA sanctions in resisting a boycott.
- Who
- Pro-Palestinian protesters, the Ireland and Austria men’s national teams, the Football Association of Ireland, and the Stop the Game initiative.
- What
- Tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags were thrown onto the pitch, temporarily disrupting Ireland’s 2-2 Nations League draw with Austria.
- When
- During Saturday’s match; Ireland’s remaining match against Israel was scheduled for Sunday.
- Where
- The Austria match took place in Dublin; the Ireland-Israel match was scheduled for Backa Topola, Serbia.
- Why
- Protesters opposed Ireland playing Israel because of Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for a boycott.
Boycott supporters
FAI and match supporters
Whether Ireland should play Israel
Boycott supporters
The Stop the Game initiative and Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign called for Ireland to boycott its remaining Nations League match against Israel, citing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
FAI and match supporters
The Ireland players voted by a significant majority to play, and the Football Association of Ireland did not cancel the fixtures.
Reason for the FAI’s position
Boycott supporters
Protesters asked the Irish government, the FAI, the squad, and coach Heimir Hallgrimsson to cancel the match.
FAI and match supporters
The FAI argued that boycotting could expose the team to punishing sanctions from UEFA.
- Match result
- Ireland drew 2-2 with Austria.
- Initial score
- Ireland led 1-0 after 19 minutes and reached halftime 2-0 ahead.
- Protest method
- Tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags were thrown onto the pitch.
- Match interruption
- Play was paused for about four minutes, and a separate pitch-invasion attempt was stopped by stewards.
- Earlier Israel match
- Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary.
- Player vote
- A significant majority of Ireland’s players voted to play the Israel fixtures; reports put the vote at 14-8, excluding Gavin Bazunu.
- FAI position
- The Football Association of Ireland resisted a boycott, citing possible UEFA sanctions.