Protests interrupt Ireland-Austria match ahead of Israel fixture

The UEFA Nations League match between Ireland and Austria at Aviva Stadium in Dublin was briefly halted after protesters threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags and the slogan #StopTheGame onto the pitch in the 20th minute; the game resumed and ended 2-2. One person tried to storm the pitch carrying a Palestinian flag before security removed him. The incidents come ahead of Ireland's match against Israel on Sunday at TSC Arena in Serbia, after the Irish federation moved the fixture from its own ground citing "operational challenges" with UEFA approval. Ireland had led 2-0 through Troy Parrott before Austria equalized in the second half.