Ireland's Manager Decries Protests as Team Prepares for Israel Matches
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has criticized pro-Palestinian protests that disrupted Thursday’s match against Qatar at Aviva Stadium. Activists threw tennis balls onto the pitch, calling for a boycott of upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel. Hallgrimsson stated, "It just kills the game," emphasizing the negative impact on players and the sporting aspect of the event. While he acknowledged the right to protest, he lamented the disruption, saying, "If they want to destroy the game for us, then so be it." This protest occurred just before Ireland's scheduled matches against Israel—an away game on 27 September and a home fixture on 4 October. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) previously warned of potential repercussions from Uefa if they refused to play these games. Hallgrimsson has consistently opposed the boycott, arguing it would disadvantage Ireland and benefit Israel. During the match, banners reading "stop the game" were displayed, and the tennis balls thrown onto the field bore the Palestinian flag. This protest was a direct response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 attack by the militant group Hamas. Despite the interruptions, Ireland achieved a 1-0 victory, while Qatar used the match as preparation for its World Cup campaign, a tournament for which Ireland failed to qualify. Hallgrimsson expressed concern for his players, stating the political situation was "unfair for the players." The Israel Football Association responded robustly, dismissing the debate in Ireland and stating, "We are not really interested in the hypocritical and biased debate... We will come. And of course try our best to win." This incident recalls a similar protest last October when Norway pledged to donate profits from its World Cup qualifier against Israel to aid work in Gaza. With Ireland co-hosting the 2028 European Championship, the performance in the Nations League is crucial for Euro qualification.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-29