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FAI Vote Approves Israel Fixtures Despite Pitch Protest

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 11:07 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Ireland played Austria at the Aviva Stadium despite protesters throwing Palestinian-flagged tennis balls onto the pitch.
Troy Parrott scored in the 12th minute, giving Ireland a 1-0 lead.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who withdrew from the Israel match, returned for the Austria game.
FAI chief executive David Courell said a 14-8 vote approved fulfilling the Israel fixtures.
Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed the federation will play both Israel matches as planned.

History

Historical Context

The 1976 Montreal Olympic boycott, when 26 of 28 African nations withdrew after New Zealand’s rugby tour of apartheid South Africa, showed sport’s anti-apartheid power. FIFA expelled South Africa that year and the IOC declared total isolation in 1988. Ireland’s senior team now confronts Palestinian protests, which continue to echo those historic political boycotts.

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Story summary

Ireland played Austria at the Aviva Stadium despite protesters throwing Palestinian-flagged tennis balls onto the pitch.
Troy Parrott scored in the 12th minute, giving Ireland a 1-0 lead.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who withdrew from the Israel match, returned for the Austria game.
FAI chief executive David Courell said a 14-8 vote approved fulfilling the Israel fixtures.
Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed the federation will play both Israel matches as planned.

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