The Football Association of Ireland has been charged by UEFA for the tennis ball protest during the Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday.
Irish fans vented their anger at outgoing FAI chief executive John Delaney by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch after 33 minutes at the Aviva Stadium.
UEFA said in a statement: “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the European Qualifiers Group D match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia (1-0), played on 26 March.
“Charges against Republic of Ireland: Throwing of objects — Art. 16 (2) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations.
“The case will be dealt with by the Uefa control, ethics and disciplinary body on 16 May.”
In the 33rd minute, which may have been reference to when the FAI suggested Ireland should be the '33rd Team at the 2010 World Cup' - stewards and players were forced to clear the pitch before Conor Hourihane got Ireland's first goal with a beautiful left-footed effort.
The move is in protest at John Delaney who left his post as FAI chief executive after an extraordinary week of financial controversy.
But it wasn’t game, set and match as Delaney only moved sideways into a newly created ‘executive Vice President’ role.
His monster €360,000 salary drops to €120,000 per year but many fans cannot fathom how he’s still on the payroll.
Earlier yesterday, Ireland boss Mick McCarthy joked that he will leave his tennis racket behind tonight.
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