The FAI and the manager of the women's national football team have apologised after a video circulated showing Irish players singing a pro-IRA song. The footage shows the Republic of Ireland's women's team celebrating their World Cup qualifying playoff win over Scotland in the Hampden dressing room.
Vera Pauw's side qualified for the tournament for the first time in their history following a 1-0 win on Tuesday. In the clips of them celebrating afterwards the players appear to chant "Up the Ra" - in reference to the IRA - to the tune of Celtic Symphony. The clip has been widely shared on on social media.
The Irish FA apologised this morning, with women's manager Vera Pauw saying there was "no excuse" for the "hurt caused". One of the victorious Irish stars also said they were "incredibly embarrassed" and "need to be better".
A spokesman for the FAI said: "The Football Association of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland Ireland Women’s National Team Manager Vera Pauw apologise for any offence caused by a song sung by players in the Ireland dressing room after the FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying Play-off win over Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night."
Vera Pauw 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.”
Speaking to Sky Sports, Ireland defender Chloe Mustaki said today: "Yeah, absolutely [I would like to apologise]. Look, we’re all really sorry here in Dublin. It was obviously a massive lapse in judgement at our end. There was lots going on when the final whistle went and we absolutely didn’t mean to cause any hurt on our end, so we do really apologise for that. Absolutely.
“Yeah, [the players are] quite embarrassed. There was obviously a lot going on in the changing rooms at such a major moment - lots of different songs being put on right, left and centre. So look, we are incredibly embarrassed at this moment in time. We didn’t mean any hurt on our end so we do really apologise for that.
"I think we need to learn in these moments to be better and to do better. We’ve all been brought up knowing a lot about Irish history. So, you know, we just need to be better in moments like this and we recognise that absolutely on our end.”
Aine O'Gorman also apologised, saying: "We sang 100 songs last night and that was the one that went out. We would just like to apologise to anyone who was offended."
Scotland and Ireland met at Hampden in front of 10,708 - a record competitive crowd for a Scotland women's international. But, despite dominating possession, the hosts were undone by a resolute Irish side.
Real Madrid star Caroline Weir missed a first-half penalty for Scotland before Amber Barrett scored in the final quarter after a quick counter-attack. It is the first time the Irish have qualified for a major tournament.
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