Protesters halt match as calls grow for Ireland to boycott second game against Israel

A Republic of Ireland match was temporarily halted after protesters threw tennis balls onto the pitch and an invader carrying Palestine flags ran onto the field, amid growing calls for Ireland to boycott a second match against Israel.

The disruption reflects continued activism around sporting fixtures involving Israel, with demonstrators using the match as a platform to call attention to the boycott demand.

Calls for a boycott

Pressure has been building among some activists and supporters for the Football Association of Ireland to avoid playing a second match against Israel, extending a broader debate within European football about whether national federations should continue sporting fixtures with Israeli teams.

The specific competition and stage of the match that was halted, along with how long the delay lasted and whether any arrests were made, were not detailed in the available reporting.

Football associations in other countries have faced similar boycott pressure in connection with fixtures against Israel, as sporting events have increasingly become a focal point for broader political protest.

It remains unclear whether the Football Association of Ireland has responded publicly to the renewed boycott calls or whether the scheduled second match against Israel will proceed as planned.