Irish soccer fans disrupted their national team’s exhibition match with World Cup participant Qatar in Dublin late Thursday by throwing tennis balls on the pitch in protest of upcoming games against Israel.

An AFP journalist in the stadium said a volley of dozens of tennis balls emblazoned with Palestinian flags and the words ‘Stop the Game’ were thrown by Irish protesters around the 11th minute.

It occurred soon after Ireland scored the only goal in a 1-0 win.

Further volleys of balls landed on the pitch later in the first half, the AFP journalist said.

Security guards, players and Ireland’s Icelandic boss Heimir Hallgrimsson helped clear the balls during two separate stoppages that lasted for several minutes each.

In a statement posted on Instagram, a group called “The League of Ireland fans for Palestine” said it was behind the protest.

Ireland fans in support of Palestine, throwing tennis balls onto the pitch. pic.twitter.com/c254gWP2rc — Lansdowne Road ☘️????????⚽ (@LansdowneRD_IE) May 29, 2026

Ireland fans in support of Palestine, throwing tennis balls onto the pitch. pic.twitter.com/c254gWP2rc

— Lansdowne Road ☘️????????⚽........

© The Times of Israel