Ireland-Qatar friendly halted twice as fans throw tennis balls to protest Nations League games against Israel
An international friendly between Ireland and Qatar had to be stopped twice on Thursday due to fans protesting against the Nations League games against Israel.
Tennis balls were thrown onto the court at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin during the match from spectators in the upper West, East and South, according to The 42.
Then, League of Ireland fans involved in the protest released a statement saying it was their actions, sending a “strong message” to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the national government.
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Seamus Coleman of the Republic of Ireland reacts as tennis balls are thrown onto the court during an international friendly match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 28, 2026. (Photos by Brian Lawless/PA)
“The United Nations matches between Ireland and Israel must be cancelled,” the statement read, according to the report.
Fans of all the major LOI clubs in the capital were joined by supporters of Cork City, Drogheda United, Dundalk FC, Galway United, Sligo Rovers and Waterford in action, where tennis balls accompanied by demands to #StopTheGame were thrown onto the field of play.
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Video from the press box taken by 42nd David Sneyd shows the moment fans in the top tier throw tennis balls onto the court.
A banner reading “#StopTheGame” was also unfurled from the front row and over the wall for all to see. Also, chants of “Free Palestine” were heard in the stands.
“It is sad that these games will continue as the apartheid regime of the Occupation continues to exterminate the Palestinian people,” said one of the participants in the protest, in a statement. “We would be playing football with criminals who would be fighting.
“Military service is compulsory over there, so most of their UN team will be serving in the ‘Israeli Defense Forces.’ They have killed more than 1,000 athletes and coaches, including at least 421 football players, in Gaza since October 2023, while destroying or damaging 265 sports facilities. “
The protest comes after Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson urged fans not to protest and support the team, which came in time for a press conference on Wednesday.
The proposal was also proposed by the Professional Footballers’ Association Ireland (PFAI), Irish Football Supporters Partnership (IFSP), CK United, Cork City and Bohemian FC asking the FAI to refuse to participate in the matches scheduled for Israel “for legal and ethical reasons,” writes 42.
Fans protest during the international friendly soccer match between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 28, 2026. (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)
Ireland face Israel on September 27 at a neutral venue, followed by a game in Dublin on October 4.
This is not the first time that there has been tension in football this month regarding Israel. Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands or even stand next to Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during the FIFA Conference on May 1.
Both officials were invited by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but Rajoub wanted nothing to do with Suliman. There was a time when Infantino put his hand on Rajoub’s arm and showed him to be close to Suliman, but he refused.
“I still respect and follow the legal process, but I think it’s time to understand that Israel should be punished,” said Rajoub, as he believes the country should be banned from international football.
Tennis balls lie on the court during the international friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 28, 2026. (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)
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“I refuse to shake hands. Sports is a game. … For me, that should be respected, but if the other side represents a criminal like Bibi. [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and I speak for Bibi as if Bibi is Mother Teresa, how can I shake hands or take a picture with such a man?”
Ireland beat Qatar, 1-0, in their game despite being down following a red card.
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