Republic of Ireland midfielder Jamie McGrath has warned that the controversy surrounding Nations League games against Israel could intensify after their friendly win over Qatar in Dublin was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests.

Ireland are set to host Israel at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on October 4, while a September 27 fixture designated as an Israel home match is expected to be staged at a neutral venue. Qatar's match against Ireland was part of their preparations for this summer's World Cup.

Earlier this month, leading Irish footballers joined with celebrities in a campaign calling for a boycott of Israel's matches, but Ireland's governing body for football (FAI) has said it will go ahead with the fixtures and that a refusal to play could lead to disciplinary measures.

Tennis balls featuring the Palestinian flag were thrown on to the pitch in Thursday's friendly, causing the match to be halted twice, and McGrath expected more protests to follow. “I'm sure it's going to heat up over the next few months. We (the players) don't want to be put into a position,” he told the BBC.

“It's obviously a unique scenario. The people [protesters], we have to listen to them, they have the right to do what they do, as long as it's done in a peaceful way, that's all that matters. Hopefully, the powers above us can work something out or use it for the greater good,” McGrath added.

In November last year, 93 percent of FAI members voted for its leadership to press UEFA to suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions. Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has also regularly weighed in on the debate, calling on his players to “win this war” against Israel in the upcoming matches.

Source: www.aljazeera.com