FAI apologise for controversial song in Ireland team’s dressing room after World Cup qualification

'There can be no excuse for that.'

The FAI and Ireland boss Vera Pauw have offered their apologies after video footage was widely circulated of players chanting a song that contained pro-IRA lyrics in the aftermath of their win over Scotland. Ireland defeated the Scots 1-0 at Hampden Park, on Tuesday evening, to reach the 2023 Women's World Cup. It is the first time this side has qualified for a World Cup, and there were some great scenes of celebration and widespread joy at the ground, and back in Ireland. During the celebrations, there were some videos shared from the victorious Irish dressing room, at Hampden Park. There was a jubilant rendition of a Taylor Swift song: https://twitter.com/amyohconnor/status/1579965677779439616 There was also footage captured, and shared, of several players singing along to 'Celtic Symphony', and old Wolfe Tones song. The song is popular with Celtic supporters and the lyrics, in small part, are:

Graffitti on the walls that says we're Magic, We're Magic,
Graffiti on the walls... Graffiti on the walls...
And it said..............
Ooh ah up the Ra, say ooh ah up the Ra (repeated six times)

The following song footage was shared online after initially going out as a live video from one of those inside the dressing room: https://twitter.com/corelliLAUREN/status/1579950746069766145

'We apologise from the bottom of our hearts'

A statement from the FAI was released on Wednesday morning and it reads:

'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. "Ireland manager 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.'"

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