The match between Ireland and Austria was stopped twice this evening during the UEFA Nations League tournament, due to widespread protests in which demonstrators expressed their rejection of the policies of the Zionist entity.
According to the Mirror newspaper, fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch, forcing the referee to halt the match for several minutes.
Austria-Ireland match halted twice
The first incident occurred in the 20th minute, when numerous balls bearing the Palestinian flag were thrown onto the pitch. This is the second consecutive time tennis balls have been used in protests at the Aviva Stadium, following the friendly match against Qatar in June.
The second stoppage came in the 36th minute, when a fan attempted to invade the pitch, but security personnel quickly apprehended him.
Before kickoff, protesters from the "Stop the Game" campaign gathered outside the Aviva Stadium, a movement demanding that Ireland boycott its Nations League matches against the Zionist entity during the current international break.
Ireland played its controversial match against the entity last weekend after days of turmoil behind closed doors, with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu ultimately withdrawing from the squad, expressing concern over the atrocities being committed in Gaza.
Ireland-Zionist entity match to be held in Serbia
Despite last night's protest and widespread public discontent among a large segment of fans, next Sunday's match against Israel appears set to proceed as scheduled, as manager Heimir Hallgrímsson confirmed earlier that Ireland is determined to play the fixture, but in Serbia.
Hallgrímsson stated in this regard: "The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that we will play both matches; this has been our intention."
