Ireland and Qatar Soccer Match Disrupted by Protests

An international soccer match between Ireland and Qatar faced disruptions twice due to fans protesting the Nations League games with Israel.

During the match held at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, spectators in the upper West, East, and South sections threw tennis balls onto the pitch. According to The 42, these actions were part of a protest against the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish government.

The protest was organized by fans of several League of Ireland (LOI) clubs, including Cork City, Drogheda United, Dundalk FC, Galway United, Sligo Rovers, and Waterford. They demanded the cancellation of Nations League fixtures between Ireland and Israel. Tennis balls with the message “#StopTheGame” were thrown onto the field.

A banner with the same message was prominently displayed, accompanied by chants of “Free Palestine.” One protester proclaimed that the games should not proceed due to the ongoing situation in Palestine, as reported by The 42.

The protest followed comments by Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, who had urged fans to support the team. A proposal from various organizations, including the Professional Footballers’ Association Ireland (PFAI), called on the FAI to avoid games against Israel for legal and moral reasons.

Ireland is scheduled to face Israel on neutral ground on September 27 and then in Dublin on October 4.

This incident is part of broader tensions surrounding Israel in soccer events. Earlier in the month, Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to engage with Israel’s Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a FIFA Congress.

Despite a player being sent off with a red card, Ireland won the match against Qatar, 1-0.