Irish FA chiefs have been hit with a 20,000 Euro fine by UEFA after their women’s team celebrated beating Scotland with a pro-IRA chant. Footage widely shared online showed the Republic of Ireland squad singing “Oh, ah, up the Ra” in their Hampden dressing room after dumping the Scots to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
The October incident sparked a storm of controversy and forced the Football Association of Ireland, their players and head coach Vera Pauw into releasing grovelling apologies. Now UEFA have revealed details of the punishment they’ve dished out after opening a disciplinary case.
European football’s governing body confirmed the FAI would be fined “for the violation of the basic rules of decent conduct”. Ireland claimed a 1-0 win in their play-off clash in Glasgow to secure qualification to the World Cup for the first time. But the players’ actions after that match drew widespread condemnation.
