FAI fined €20k for Ireland team's dressing room song

The FAI have been fined €20,000 by UEFA for 'violating rules of decent conduct' due to singing that took place in the dressing room after the national team's World Cup play-off win against Scotland in October.

Video circulated on social media after the 1-0 victory at Hampden Park of the players in the dressing room singing The Wolfe Tones' Celtic Symphony, which contains lyrics suggesting support of the IRA.

Ireland manager Vera Pauw and the FAI subsequently issued apologies over the incident, with European football's governing body launching their own disciplinary investigation.

On Thursday, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body announced the FAI would be fined for "the violation of the basic rules of decent conduct".

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."

Pauw made no excuses for the incident in the days following Ireland's famous result in Glasgow. Speaking to RTÉ Sport, she said: "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.

"We're sincerely and deeply sorry for what happened and it doesn't matter if the players meant anything or not, because they