Overview
- Supporters twice threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian imagery onto the Aviva pitch on Thursday, briefly stopping the Ireland v Qatar friendly and leading to the ejection of some protesters.
- The FAI has confirmed it will play Israel in the Nations League, with the away tie due on 27 September at a likely neutral venue and the home fixture set for 4 October at the Aviva.
- Captain Nathan Collins and manager Heimir Hallgrimsson urged trust in the FAI and the government while saying individual players retain the right to take a personal stand.
- Groups inside Irish football including the PFAI, the IFSP and several League of Ireland clubs are circulating motions to force an Extraordinary General Meeting to challenge the association’s stance.
- If the FAI refused to fulfil the fixtures UEFA could impose sanctions or forfeits, so the row is likely to keep producing stadium protests, governance pressure and wider political debate ahead of September and October.