Vera Pauw has echoed the concerns of others over Saudi Arabia’s sponsorship of the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
The news last month that the country’s tourist board, Visit Saudi, would be a tournament sponsor drew a response from USA legend Alex Morgan.
She said: “I think it's bizarre that FIFA has looked to have a Visit Saudi sponsorship for the Women's World Cup when I, myself, Alex Morgan, would not even be supported and accepted in that country. I just don't understand it.”
Pauw addressed the controversy yesterday, saying: “It's not been finalised. It’s a concern of course for us.
“We have our concerns, it’s up to FIFA to decide, it’s not up to us. Let us say we have our concerns.”
Ireland, meanwhile, will use Wednesday's friendly against China (1pm Irish time, live on RTE NewsNow) to show solidarity with World Cup rivals Canada, who are at loggerheads with their own federation over the level of funding allocated to the reigning Olympic champions.
The players will wear purple wristbands in support of their Canadian counterparts.
Pauw said: "The players have asked if they can wear the wristbands. I said that’s a management decision and the management is okay with it.”
Megan Connolly added: “We're wearing it because we just want to support them.
“Us as a team, we've been through it before (in 2017) and come out the other end, so I think for us, it's just to show a stance with them that we support them.
“I think a lot of other teams have done it. I know the USA have done it. For us, it's just to show support.”
Ireland’s World Cup preparations continue today, when they round off a 10-day long training camp in Spain with a friendly against the AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners China.
It’s the first meeting of the two teams and it takes place in the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras.
The trio of Aoife Mannion, Deborah-Anne De La Harpe and Marissa Sheva have each received FIFA International Clearance and are eligible to make their debuts.
Pauw said: “All of our players are fit and ready for this game after a really good week training.
“We also had a tough game against Germany behind closed doors, which allowed us to use 26 of the 27 players here in camp with us and that was a very good exercise for us.
“We expect a very tough game against China. We expect them to put us under pressure, which is why we have chosen to play against this type of opponent.
“It is also an opportunity for us to make the next step in our attacking play.”
SQUAD
Goalkeepers : Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Grace Moloney (Reading), Naoisha McAloon (Durham WFC).
Defenders : Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Deborah-Ann De La Harpe (Sydney FC).
Midfielders : Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United).
Forwards : Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit).
