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Lauren Harte

Police probe Ireland women's pro-IRA chant in dressing room after World Cup play off

Police are investigating a video showing a pro-IRA chant in the dressing room of the Republic of Ireland's women's team after their 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The Irish left Glasgow with a 1-0 win over Scotland to book their place in the showpiece event being held next year in Australia and New Zealand.

However, their win has been overshadowed by the video, which shows players joining in with a pro-IRA chant as they celebrate.

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The video has been widely condemned online and Police Scotland has said it is now investigating, the Scottish Daily Express reports.

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of the video and enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Ireland manager Vera Pauw has issued an apology after the clip came to light.

In a statement released through the FAI, the Republic's football association, she said: "We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to anyone who has been offended by the content of the post-match celebrations after we had just qualified for the World Cup.

"We will review this with the players and remind them of their responsibilities in this regard. I have spoken with players this morning and we are sorry collectively for any hurt caused, there can be no excuse for that."

The song was later described as a "massive lapse in judgement" by player Chloe Mustaki. She also said the squad was "incredibly embarrassed" and they "did not mean any hurt" when speaking to Sky Sports.

The video has been described as "outrageous" and "utterly insensitive" to victims.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he was glad to see the quick apology from the FAI.

"There is no place for the glorification of terror. For those who wonder why we find this chant offensive, just google La Mon, Kingsmill or Darkley and see why the sectarian violence of the IRA should never be trivialised."

Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said that "clearly there was a mistake made after the match last night".

"That shouldn't have happened. I think it's acknowledged and there's a very sincere apology made, and I hope we can move on from that now because last night was about sport, primarily," he added.

South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe said she would be writing to the FAI to ask what steps are going to be taken next.

"Republican terrorists were responsible for 60% of the deaths during the Troubles," Ms Forsythe said.

"People of all ages, all genders and all faiths were systematically targeted and murdered in the most cruel manner by the PIRA. Some of those families whose loved ones were murdered have never even been told where the IRA buried their loved one.

"This was a barbaric, cruel and illegal terrorist organisation. For the team to be singing such a song is quite outrageous and utterly insensitive to PIRA victims.

"I will be asking the FAI how they are going to give leadership across grassroots football so as this pro-IRA chanting is stopped at future events."

TUV spokeswoman Lorna Smyth said the apology given was "bland" and didn't go far enough.

"A bland apology which says sorry for any offence without clearly spelling out why a song glorifying the IRA is offensive isn't enough," she said.

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