Ireland midfielder Jamie McGrath expects tensions surrounding the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming Nations League matches against Israel to intensify after protests disrupted Thursday’s friendly win over Qatar in Dublin.
The match at the Aviva Stadium, which Ireland won 1-0 thanks to an early Nathan Collins header, was briefly halted twice during the first half when tennis balls marked with Palestinian flags were thrown onto the pitch by supporters.
Irish broadcaster RTE later reported that several protesters were removed from the stadium following the incidents.
The Republic of Ireland are due to face Israel on 27 September at a neutral venue before hosting the return fixture in Dublin on 4 October, but public pressure has continued to build over whether the matches should go ahead amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking after the Qatar game, Hibernian midfielder McGrath said he expects debate around the fixtures to grow in the coming months.
“I listened to Seamus Coleman earlier this week and I think he was absolutely right,” McGrath said. “It’s a very unusual situation. People have the right to protest as long as it stays peaceful.
“I’m sure things will become even more intense over the next few months. As players, we don’t really want to be put in the middle of it, but sometimes that may happen.”
Calls for a boycott have increased across Ireland, with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign staging a demonstration outside the Dáil earlier this week.
The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that both matches will proceed, with chief executive David Courell stating the organisation had “no choice” and warning that withdrawing could bring major sanctions.
Collins also addressed the issue earlier in the week, saying the squad would support any player who personally decided not to participate in the fixtures.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, meanwhile, reacted strongly after the Qatar match disruptions, saying that if protesters “want to destroy the game for us, so be it”.
McGrath admitted there remains uncertainty inside the squad over how the situation could develop before the September and October matches.
“We’ve spoken about it a little over the last few days,” he said. “But honestly, I don’t know what will happen. As things continue, it could end up being taken out of our hands.”