The Football Association of Ireland has been charged by UEFA for the tennis ball protest during the Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday.
Sections of Irish fans vented their anger at outgoing FAI chief executive John Delaney by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch after 33 minutes at the Aviva Stadium.
A UEFA statement said: “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the European Qualifiers Group D match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia (1-0), played on 26 March.
“Charges against Republic of Ireland: Throwing of objects — Art. 16 (2) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations.
“The case will be dealt with by the Uefa control, ethics and disciplinary body on 16 May.”
Reports of the protest came to light ahead of the game - three days after it was announced that Delaney was moving from his FAI CEO role of 14 years to a newly-created job of executive vice-president.
The under-fire 51-year-old was in the stands on Tuesday as tennis balls rained down on the Aviva pitch from protesting supporters.
It caused the match to be delayed for three minutes as the balls were cleared away.
And once play resumed Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane stepped up to score a sensational free-kick that proved to be the winner for the Boys in Green.
Similar Article 16 offences involving the throwing of objects have seen fines in the region of €20,000 in recent years.
The protest divided opinion among many with former Ireland star Damien Duff slamming those involved.
He argued that Georgia's big chance to equalise late in the first half wouldn't have happened if not for the delay caused by the tennis balls.
Duff said on RTE after the match: "I think it is ridiculous. I think where [Georgia] nearly scored is three minutes in, there were four minutes added on and that was because of the tennis balls.
"For me Georgia nearly scored because of our CEO. The build-up tonight, for the beautiful game at Lansdowne Road, was not about football, it was about John Delaney."
Glenn Whelan who starred in Ireland's midfield on the night was more sympathetic to the angry supporters.
He said: “The fans are disgruntled, they have a right to protest whatever way they want. We can only worry about what happens on the pitch.”
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