Protesters halt game as calls grow on Ireland to boycott second Israel game

Republic of Ireland’s game halted by tennis balls thrown and invader with Palestine flags amid Israel boycott demand.Published On 1 Oct 20261 Oct 2026Protesters against 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.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4UK Parliament told answers on tax implications are needed in Manchester Citlist 2 of 4Who is Man City whistleblower Rui Pinto and what has become of him?list 3 of 4Pep Guardiola backs Man City after guilty verdict on financial chargeslist 4 of 4‘Sham’: What will happen to Man City after Premier League’s guilty verdict?end of listTroy Parrott had opened the scoring in the 12th with a brilliant individual goal, playing the ball through the legs of one defender and then eluding another before shooting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.The game resumed after a four-minute break, after which it flipped with Austria in the ascendancy until Parrott mad...