Ireland match halted by tennis ball protest over Israel fixture

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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.

“I think it kind of helped us in a good moment,” Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson told broadcaster RTE of the protest. “We could have a breather and some drinks. But you’re never happy with this, but understand it and respect it.”

Troy Parrott had opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a brilliant individual goal despite facing three defenders. He played the ball through the legs of one defender and eluded two before shooting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.

The game resumed after a four-minute break, but there was another brief diversion when a man carrying a Palestinian flag tried running onto the pitch before being stopped by stewards.

At half-time, RTE published a statement from the “Stop the Game” initiative claiming responsibility for the tennis ball action and declaring it over.

Members of the group had also gathered before the game to oppose Ireland’s matches against Israel because of Israel’s actions in Gaza. A small gathering displayed a Palestinian flag and banners in support of Ireland player Gavin Bazunu, who decided last weekend to boycott both of his team’s matches against Israel.

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign also organised a protest outside the stadium, as well as others around the country.

They are calling for Ireland to boycott its remaining Nations League match against Israel — Ireland’s “home” game though it’s set to be played without any fans present in in Backa Topola, Serbia tomorrow.

The FA of Ireland moved the game to a neutral venue for “operational reasons” in June following widespread calls for a boycott. It also followed the FAI’s own motion the previous November calling on Uefa to ban Israel from club and international competitions.

The “Stop the Game” initiative, which on Wednesday issued an open letter to the squad and Hallgrimsson asking them not to play tomorrow, has also asked the Irish government and FAI to cancel the game.

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