The FAI have been slapped with a €20,000 fine by UEFA after the Ireland women's team's viral 'up the Ra' chant was found to be "violating rules of decent conduct".
A recording circulated on social media from the Hampden Park dressing room with The Wolfe Tones' Celtic Symphony being sung by the squad, including the line 'up the Ra', after the women's World Cup play-off win against Scotland in October. Ireland manager Vera Pauw and the FAI apologised over the incident, with Pauw saying at the time: "We're sincerely and deeply sorry for what happened and it doesn't matter if the players meant anything or not."
The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body launched their own investigation and have now decided the FAI should be fined.
A statement read: "Following an investigation conducted by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector regarding the 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, and the subsequent disciplinary proceedings opened against the Football Association of Ireland, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has taken the following decision: to fine the Football Association of Ireland €20,000 for the violation of the basic rules of decent conduct."
In the days after the footage emerged, Pauw also stated: "The values that we carry is that we have respect for everybody. The first meeting with the players was about having respect, that's how we work. "Your freedom ends where you go into the freedom of somebody else.
"The freedom of doing this is brought to an end the moment you hurt people, and we have hurt people, and we are very deeply sorry for that."
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