Boycott Protest Interrupts Ireland-Austria Match Ahead of Israel Fixture
Published
A boycott protest interrupted Ireland's Nations League match against Austria at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on October 1. Tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags and the StopTheGame campaign's slogan were thrown onto the pitch during the first half, and security later removed a pitch invader carrying an apparent Palestinian flag. The campaign acknowledged the tennis-ball action and renewed its demand that Ireland refuse to face Israel on October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia. Ireland's players had voted to play their September 27 fixture against Israel. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said on Wednesday that the team intended to play Sunday's match.