October 13 – The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and national team manager Vera Pauw have apologised for players singing a song with a pro-IRA chorus after they beat Scotland 1-0 and qualified for the women’s World Cup finals for the first time.
UEFA have subsequently opened a disciplinary case into the matter saying: “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will investigate potential inappropriate behaviour by players of the Republic of Ireland Women’s team in the aftermath of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers play-off second leg match played against Scotland on 11 October 2022. Information on this matter will be made available in due course.”
Video posted on social media after the match on Tuesday showed the squad singing “Ooh ah, up the ‘RA”, a song supportive of the paramilitary Irish Republican Army that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland.
“The first thing in our team is respect for the people around us,” Ireland’s Dutch manager told Sky, adding that a shadow had been cast over their qualifying for next year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
“We have done something that hurt people and it’s no excuse that we did not mean to hurt anyone. It’s not an excuse that we were celebrating. It’s wrong, we shouldn’t have done it and we will never do it again.”
Pauw said the players were devastated and the one who posted the video was “crying in her room because she hurt people and she never meant it”.
“We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to anyone who has been offended.”
A statement by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) apologised “for any offence caused” for the dressing room incident.
“We will review this with the players and remind them of their responsibilities in this regard.”
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