Protesters against the Republic of Ireland playing its Nations League games against Israel interrupted the team's match against Austria on Thursday by throwing tennis balls onto the field. Referee Allard Lindhout sent the players for a hydration break as soon as the balls bearing Palestinian flags landed on the grass with Ireland 1-0 up after 19 minutes played. Troy Parrott had opened the scoring in the 12th with a brilliant individual goal.
The game resumed after a four-minute break, after which it flipped with Austria in the ascendancy until Parrott made it 2-0 with a penalty. Prior to that, there was another brief stoppage when a protester carrying a Palestine flag entered the field before being tackled by security. Austria fought back in the second half to claim a 2-2 draw after goals from Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch.
Protesters also gathered before the match because of Israel's actions in Gaza. The "Stop the Game" initiative set up close to the stadium and displayed a Palestinian flag and banners in support of Ireland player Gavin Bazunu, who decided Saturday to boycott both of his team's matches against Israel. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign also organized a protest outside the stadium, calling for Ireland to boycott its remaining Nations League match against Israel on Sunday.
The "Stop the Game" initiative said its supporters took part in a "limited tennis ball protest" in the 19th minute, adding: "The protest is now over. It was a token act, deliberately limited, but necessary and done in solidarity with Gavin Bazunu and the people of Palestine facing genocide."
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing