Pro‑Palestine protests and tennis balls disrupt the Ireland‑Austria duel
As part of the Nations League B, Ireland faced Austria on Thursday 1 October 2026 in Dublin, the match ending in a shared point (2‑2). From the first minutes, the encounter was stopped twice, first by tennis balls thrown from the stands, then by the intrusion of an activist brandishing the Palestinian flag. The match, broadcast by Icon, eventually resumed without further disruption.
Pre‑match protests
Before kickoff, a large demonstration set up around the Aviva Stadium. The protesters asked the Irish team to boycott its second duel against Israel, scheduled for Sunday in Serbia, and waved signs demanding the same action. An online petition supporting this call had already gathered close to 18 000 signatures.
A few days earlier, Ireland had secured a big win over Israel (3‑0) in a match relocated to Hungary, highlighting the sporting stakes of the upcoming clash.
Interruptions and interventions
In the twelfth minute, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s protégés took the lead thanks to a superb solo goal by Troy Parrot. A short while later, tennis balls bearing the Palestinian flag and the slogan #StopTheGame were thrown onto the pitch, forcing the stewards to halt play.
The stewards collected the balls while the players enjoyed a refreshing break on the side of the field before resuming the match.
About fifteen minutes later, an activist entered the field, brandished a Palestinian flag and was forcibly removed along the grass by security officers before he could even voice his demands.
The game quickly resumed and ended with a 2‑2 scoreline, without further interruption. The two teams thus shared the points, keeping Ireland in contention for promotion to Nations League A.
For its next clash against Israel, which will be played on neutral ground in Serbia, Ireland will again have to do without Gavin Bazunu. The first‑choice goalkeeper refused to travel with the squad, boycott calls against the Israeli team continuing to multiply in Ireland.
Tension and mobilisation are not waning in France, the pro‑Palestine protests reminding that the geopolitical context continues to affect Irish football.