19/12/2016

FAI Fined €4,700 For Easter Rising Symbol On Ireland Shirts

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has been fined 5,000 Swiss francs (Sfr) (€4,700) by FIFA.

The organisation was sanctioned after Republic of Ireland players wore symbols commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising on their jerseys during a friendly match with Switzerland earlier this year.

In addition, England have been fined 45,000 Sfr (£35,311), Scotland and Wales 20,000 Sfr (£15,694) and Northern Ireland 15,000 Sfr (£11,770).

The fines are due to each Association defying a ban on wearing poppies during World Cup qualifier matches around Armistice Day.

FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Claudio Sulser, said: "With these decisions, it is not our intention to judge or question specific commemorations as we fully respect the significance of such moments in the respective countries, each one of them with its own history and background.

"However, keeping in mind that the rules need to be applied in a neutral and fair manner across FIFA's 211 member associations, the display, among others, of any political or religious symbol is strictly prohibited. In the stadium and on the pitch, there is only room for sport, nothing else."

(LM)

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