Protesters opposing the Irish national team’s scheduled fixtures against Israel disrupted their Nations League encounter with Austria on Thursday. The match was temporarily halted after individuals threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags onto the field while Ireland held a 1-0 lead.
Referee Allard Lindhout ordered a hydration break to address the interruption. Play resumed approximately four minutes later. Troy Parrott had opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a skillful goal, nutmegging a defender and sliding the ball past the goalkeeper. Parrott later doubled the lead with a penalty just before halftime.
Security officials intercepted a man attempting to run onto the pitch; Irish broadcaster RTE reported he was carrying a Palestinian flag. Prior to kickoff, demonstrators from the “Stop the Game” initiative and the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered outside the stadium. They displayed banners supporting goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who announced on Saturday that he would boycott both matches against Israel due to the conflict in Gaza.
The campaign has issued an open letter to head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and the squad, urging them not to take the field for the remaining fixture. This “home” game has been moved to Backa Topola, Serbia, due to operational concerns and will be played behind closed doors. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) relocated the match in June, following its own November motion calling on UEFA to suspend Israel from competitive football.
Ireland previously traveled to Debrecen, Hungary, for Israel’s designated home leg last Sunday. The Irish players wore black armbands and secured a 3-0 victory. Bazunu informed the coaching staff of his decision to withdraw on the morning of that match. Reports indicated the remaining squad members voted 14-8 to participate, excluding Bazunu.
FAI chief executive David Courell stated that a significant majority of the players wished to compete. Finn Azaz, whose mother has Israeli heritage, was selected for the squad despite being omitted from the previous match. The FAI has resisted calls for a total boycott, warning that non-compliance could result in severe sanctions from UEFA. Ireland is set to co-host the 2028 European Championship alongside England, Wales, and Scotland.
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