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Ireland hosted Austria at the Aviva Stadium in the Nations League, but the first half was interrupted twice by protests involving tennis balls and a pitch invader as part of the StopTheGame campaign.
Ireland's Nations League match against Austria at the Aviva Stadium was interrupted twice in the first half by protests linked to the StopTheGame campaign. Just before the 20th minute, tennis balls wrapped in stickers showing the Palestinian flag and the text #StopTheGame were thrown onto the pitch from the corner to the right of the Austria goal.
StopTheGame Protest Disrupts Austria Match
Around the 35th minute, a man ran onto the field from the opposite side carrying what appeared to be a Palestinian flag. He was immediately tackled by security and carried off. The StopTheGame campaign said supporters took part in a limited tennis ball protest at the 19th minute, calling it the 1948 Protest, a symbolic act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The group said the protest was a reminder that the Nakba of 1948 began a process of dispossession, violence and genocide that continues in Gaza today. It said the action was token, deliberately limited, but necessary and done in solidarity with Gavin Bazunu and the people of Palestine facing genocide. StopTheGame said it will make no further public comment before Sunday's listed fixture in Serbia that should not take place.
It said it will issue a detailed statement on Sunday night about the campaign and its next steps. The Press Association contacted the Football Association of Ireland and UEFA for comment. UEFA's disciplinary body will assess match reports before deciding on any potential next steps. The match kicked off at 7.45pm and was live on RTE 2.
The FAI said the fixture was sold out, but there were a huge amount of empty seats around the stadium with about 10 minutes to go before kick-off. Protests also took place outside the stadium before the match. Demonstrators held banners reading Stop The Game and Show Israel the red card among others.
Gavin Bazunu and Israel Tensions
They had signs for Gavin Bazunu, who withdrew from the squad for the Israel game but was back tonight, and chanted his name along with Free, free Palestine. Drivers passing by offered support with beeps while a cyclist raised a hand in solidarity. The build-up was dominated by political tensions ahead of Sunday's rematch with Israel. The RTE panel discussed the Israel games and the fallout from Debrecen.
One panellist asked: Did we do enough to help the player get through an unbelievably difficult set of circumstances? It is a whopping no. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has publicly criticised certain traces of journalistic bias and admitted his relationship with the press is under strain. He also paid tribute to Finn Azaz, highlighting the Israeli family ties that may influence his future international representation for Ireland.
Ireland opened their campaign with a disappointing 1-0 defeat in Kosovo before a 3-0 win in the first contentious Israel fixture. They were seeking back-to-back wins tonight. Austria are coached by Ralf Rangnick, who is free from international concerns this week and will try to build a cohesive group after a solid opening win over Israel and a win over Kosovo.
The Irish side had to appear before an Oireachtas Committee and underwent a rigorous grilling over how they have treated player Gavin Bazunu. It has been a tumultuous week for the Republic. Their two Nations League fixtures against Israel have divided opinion in the country, sparking protests, including one pre-match outside the stadium advertised on social media by Stop the Game.
Ireland Squad Selection for Austria
Players voted last Saturday morning to fulfil the following day's fixture against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, which they won 3-0. Ireland's behind-closed-doors home leg in Backa Topola, Serbia, is scheduled for Sunday, and Hallgrimsson confirmed on Wednesday that it was their intention to play. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has made himself unavailable for selection for both Israel fixtures, but was included in Hallgrimsson's squad to face Austria at the Aviva. Hallgrimsson made three changes to his starting XI.
Liam Scales, John Egan and Finn Azaz returned to the team. Jake O'Brien, Liam Kitching and Jayson Molumby dropped out. Caoimhin Kelleher started in goal with James Abankwah, Dara O'Shea as captain, John Egan, Liam Scales and Ryan Manning in defence. Jack Moylan, Conor Coventry and Finn Azaz were in midfield with Troy Parrott and Adam Idah up front.
The match itself started with Ireland enjoying early possession. Troy Parrott was bundled over by Sasa Kalajdzic and fired an early warning shot from way out over the bar. There was a nervy early moment for the back-pedalling Caoimhin Kelleher. Ryan Manning was the latest Irish player urged to shoot but he was blocked down, while Adam Idah came alive as Ireland applied most of the early pressure.
After eight minutes there were appeals around the stadium for a penalty as Manning went to ground in the box after Stefan Posch's boot was high on the clearances. Replays showed there was no touch. Amhran na bhFiann was sung with gusto and fans broke into Come on you Boys In Green immediately. The vocal Austrian support hit back.
Other Irish Sport Roundup
There was decent Hungarian support in the stadium, a gaggle of red making themselves heard. As expected, Troy Parrott's name got the loudest cheer as the teams were read out. In other Irish sport, rugby union captain Caelan Doris has been ruled out until the new year with a lingering injury. Forward Jack Crowley is sidelined with a vascular knee injury while Connacht's Kiwi Sean Jansen appeared in good health for the Italy trip.
The women's team is set to face Japan twice in six days, with enthusiasm about hosting England at the Aviva Stadium in May. The Gaelic football board disclosed rule tweaks and appointed new manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice ahead of the upcoming league. U2 celebrated an anniversary and their spectacular presence in America that concluded in big stadiums.
A July 2nd golf tournament is on with Piers Morgan, Ronan Keating, Ruud Gullit, Huey Lewis and Ian Botham competing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
IrishTimesSport
The42_ie:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Ireland Nations League Political Protests Heimir Hallgrímsson Ralf Rangnick Austrian Football Female Ireland European Football Rugby Union Gaelic Football Ireland Austria Nations League Aviva Stadium Protest Heimir Hallgrimsson Gavin Bazunu Israel Fixture Fallout Stopthegame Protest Aviva Stadium Israel Fixtures
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