A fine of 20,000 euros has been sent to the Football Association of Ireland. The reason is, the players of the national team coach Vera Pauw sang a song with a political tone after winning against Scotland last October. The song is the national anthem of the IRA, the rebel movement in Ireland.
Ireland beat Scotland in October to qualify for the Women’s World Cup for the first time. The night produced only a small smudge; the Pauw ladies sing IRA song and it’s kinda touchy. Given the history of the IRA.
IRA history
The IRA is a rebel movement in Ireland. Last century, in the struggle for independence from Great Britain, the IRA carried out many very bloody and fatal attacks. The Irish women sang the line “Oh ah, up the RA” in the locker room, which was a cut from a pro-IRA song. This led to an investigation by Police Scotland and a disciplinary investigation by UEFA. Hence the fine.
Sorry
In the immediate aftermath of the incident – and especially the violent reaction against it – the Irish federation issued an apology. This is accepted here and there, but still they are fined. The captain said at the time: “We sang 100 songs that night, but this one is coming out. We apologize to everyone we have hurt.”
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