Uefa open disciplinary proceedings against FAI over fans’ tennis ball protest

Disciplinary proceedings have been opened by Uefa after Tuesday night's tennis ball protest.

Shortly after the half-hour mark of the Republic of Ireland's victory over Georgia in their second Euro 2020 qualifier, supporters stayed true to their promise of a protest against FAI governance by throwing tennis balls on to the pitch at the Aviva Stadium. There was a lengthy delay to the match as players and stewards attempted to clear the playing surface and Conor Hourihane opened the scoring with the next kick of the game. Ireland are now facing the charge of 'Throwing of objects - Art. 16 (2) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations' and the case will be dealt with by the Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 16 May. The protest sparked considerable debate in the RTÉ studios after the game, as former Irish international Damien Duff slammed the protest and told supporters to "do it somewhere else." Fellow pundit Richie Sadlier was far more sympathetic to the frustrations of fans and issued a passionate defence of the protest.