Protest against Israel match as tennis balls thrown onto pitch during Ireland friendly

Several spectators threw tennis balls onto the football pitch during Ireland's friendly match against Qatar.

The action aimed to put pressure on the Football Association of Ireland to cancel its two Nations League matches against Israel.

According to an AFP journalist, the tennis balls were marked with Palestinian flags and the words "stop the game."

"Everyone has the right to protest - and if you just think about football, it's not fun for us to see a match that has to be stopped time and time again," said Ireland's national team captain Heimir Hallgrimsson at a press conference.

Tennis balls were thrown in after Ireland's goal in Thursday's 1-0 victory.