Republic of Ireland's McGrath expects protests over Israel games to 'heat up'

Protests against the Republic of Ireland's upcoming fixtures against Israel are expected to intensify, according to midfielder Jamie McGrath. His comments follow disruptions during the team's friendly win over Qatar on Thursday, where home fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch.

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The people, 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.

The Aviva Stadium game, which the Republic of Ireland won 1-0 thanks to an early header from Nathan Collins, was twice briefly interrupted in the first half. Protesters ejected from the ground were demonstrating against the scheduled matches with Israel.

McGrath acknowledged the protesters' right to voice their opinions peacefully. "The people, 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," he told BBC Sport NI. He anticipates the situation will escalate as the Republic of Ireland prepare to face Israel in a neutral venue on September 27 and in Dublin on October 4 for Nations League games.

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I'm sure it's going to heat up over the next few months. Like I said, we don't want to be put into a position. Hopefully the powers above us can work something out or use it for the greater good, I'm not sure what the process will be as it heats up.

"I'm sure it's going to heat up over the next few months," McGrath added. "Hopefully the powers above us can work something out or use it for the greater good." He expressed a desire for the team to avoid being caught in the middle of the political controversy, stating, "At the end of the day, we're footballers and we don't want to be caught in this, but sometimes we might have to."

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At the end of the day, we're footballers and we don't want to be caught in this, but sometimes we might have to.