Ireland-Austria game interrupted twice by Gaza protests

The Nations League football match between Ireland and Austria in Dublin was twice interrupted by protests in support of Palestine. In the 19th minute, spectators tossed tennis balls adorned with Palestinian flag stickers onto the field. The players paused for a brief period before the game continued. Later, in the 35th minute, a man approached the pitch holding a Palestinian flag, causing another temporary halt to the match.

Ultimately, the game concluded with a 2-2 draw. Following the incident, the Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson remarked that while he disagreed with the protests, he recognized and respected their sentiment. This occurred after a contentious match against Israel, where the Irish players ultimately decided to participate, despite a boycott call, in a largely empty stadium in Hungary.

The Irish players wore black arm bands, and the captains from both teams did not shake hands prior to the match. The next match is set to take place in Serbia, as Dublin organizers deemed the home game too contentious. Outside the Aviva Stadium on Thursday evening, approximately 200 protesters gathered for a "Stop the Game" campaign.

Joanne Doyle, a 56-year-old primary school teacher and one of the protesters, expressed her objection, stating that the games were "sports-washing a genocide" and that the Irish Football Association had previously boycotted a match against genocidal Israel.