
Ireland-Qatar Match Halted Twice by Anti-Israel Tennis Ball Protest
An international friendly between Ireland and Qatar was stopped twice on Thursday, May 28, when fans hurled tennis balls onto the pitch at Aviva Stadium in Dublin to protest Ireland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel. The balls came raining down from spectators in the upper West, East, and South sections of the stands, accompanied by chants of “stop the game” and “free Palestine.” Play was paused while stewards and security cleared the field of the debris.
A coalition of League of Ireland fans claimed responsibility, releasing a statement that they intended to deliver a strong message to the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish government. “The Nations League fixtures between Ireland and Israel must be cancelled,” the statement read. Ireland captain Seamus Coleman was seen reacting with frustration as the tennis balls littered the grass during the disruption.
Ireland is scheduled to face Israel on September 27, at a neutral venue, followed by a home match in Dublin on October 4. The disruption was not the first flashpoint of the month surrounding Israel in international football. At the FIFA Congress on May 1, Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with or even stand near Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman, despite both having been invited by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
(FOX/VFI News)
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” – Genesis 12:3