Why We Threw Tennis Balls On The Aviva Pitch
Last night, Thursday October 1st, a group of Stop The Game activists smuggled tennis balls into Landsdowne road, in advance of the scheduled football game between Ireland and Austria.
When the draw was made for this incarnation of the UEFA Nations League, Ireland were drawn to play against Austria, Kosovo and Israel. A group of League of Ireland supporters, and Ireland fans called a meeting and decided on a plan of action.
To play two fixtures against Israel was unconscionable to us. Playing these games makes the FAI complicit in whitewashing the actions of Israel.
Unfortunately, the FAI abdicated their responsibility, hiding behind a mealy mouthed motion at an EGM, which resulted in a non binding vote to play the games.
By pursuing this course of action, they placed the members of the squad to face the music. Gavin Bazunu made the correct decision and refused to play either fixture. None of his teammates stood with him, although several privately supported him. That’s the background.
Last night, Thursday October 1st, a group of Stop The Game activists smuggled tennis balls (I know, it sounds ridiculous, but sure look) into Landsdowne road, in advance of the scheduled football game between Ireland and Austria.
As we had previously done in the friendly fixture against Qatar in May. Both actions were successful in drawing the publics attention to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, and the nascent one currently unfolding in Lebanon, and the FAIs complicity in both of these atrocities by enabling the fixtures against Israel.
The response we received in the stadium was mixed, audible boos but plenty of low level support. The response from people, rather than bots online has been supportive.
But this was not a popularity contest, it wasn’t a contest. It was a group of people making a stand in support and solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The Irish squad leave to play the ‘home’ game against Israel in Serbia today.
There is still time. We know there is, at least, unease in the squad, no doubt amplified by the racist abuse Adam Idah received at the away game last week. Which, at the time of writing, has not been acknowledged, let alone investigated by UEFA.
It’s a long way to Sunday evening. The squad, or some of them may still make the right choice and stand with humanity.
It’s not over, but if they play on Sunday, so be it. History will be their judge. History will be kind to Gavin Bazunu. The kindness of history to the rest? Wait and see.
