Aviva Stadium protests: Sven Van Londersele Sport reports latest chaos

The pro-Palestinian demonstrations disrupted the Nations League‑match between Ireland and Austria in Dublin again, causing the game to be halted twice and sharply heightening the atmosphere surrounding the upcoming clash with Israel.

Protests interrupt the match

Around the twentieth minute, with Ireland already leading 1‑0, supporters hurled tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags and #StopTheGame stickers onto the pitch, after which the stewards had to clear the balls.

A quarter of an hour later another supporter ran onto the field with a Palestinian flag; the stewards intervened, pulled the man from the ground and removed him, while more flags could be seen in the stands and outside the stadium.

Impact on the return match against Israel

Dublin's Aviva Stadium is already preparing for the heavily charged return match against Israel, which will take place next Sunday in the Serbian Backa Topola without spectators.

Irish national team coach Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed on Wednesday that the match will go ahead, without a last‑minute vote among the players, despite the Irish players' desire to have the match forfeited.

Pre‑match controversy

Last week the first leg between Israel and Ireland was played in Debrecen, Hungary, and already sparked daily debate; the Irish players, after much hesitation, ultimately voted to play, but staged a silent protest.

The current protests show that Irish supporters remain strongly opposed to playing Israel, and would rather see a forfeit than a confrontation on the pitch.