The FAI has been fined €20,000 by UEFA for the recording of what was deemed to be an inappropriate song in the dressing room after the victory over Scotland in Glasgow that secured qualification for the World Cup Finals next year.
The decision follows an investigation conducted by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector and the fine is described as being “for the violation of the basic rules of decent conduct.”
The FAI has “noted and accepted the sanction”, noting as well that “The FAI and the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team has apologised to all affected by the events after the game,” and that “the FAI has assured UEFA that all players and staff across all of our international teams have been, and will continue to be, reminded of their responsibilities every time they represent their country.”
The video of the team singing the Wolfe Tone’s Celtic Symphony with its admittedly spicy lyrics was recorded and shared on social media by one of the players but the incident is done now.
Management and players owned it at the time, recognising it was a mistake but avoided much of what could have been a ‘Joe Duffy’ pile-on at home when Sky Sports News anchor Rob Wotton asked Chloe Mustaki whether the team needed educating on history.
She handled it well at the time, without stating the obvious, here at least, that Irish children were brought up with a strong understanding of the history between Britain and Ireland.
“We need to learn in these moments to be better.” Lesson learned. Punishment accepted. Moving along…
