FAI fined almost 5,000 euro by UEFA for 1916 commemoration

The Football Association of Ireland has been fined 5,000 swiss francs (roughly €4,700) by FIFA for the display of a 1916 tribute on the national team's shirt during a friendly with Switzerland.

The offending symbol was emblazoned on the Republic of Ireland team's shirts during the Euro 2016 warm-up game at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, March 25^th, which Ireland won 1-0.

FIFA has stringent rules against the use of political symbolism at football matches with strict punishments in place for transgressions regardless of the scale.

According to FIFA's press release: “FIFA can today confirm sanctions imposed on several football associations for incidents during 2018 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying matches and international friendlies.

“The Republic of Ireland has been fined CHF 5,000 for the display of a political symbol on the shirt during the Republic of Ireland v. Switzerland friendly match.”

Also reprimanded were the associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland after those four associations wore poppy symbols to commemorate British soldiers who have died at war.

The FAI's fine is the lowest of the five fines, and cannot be appealed owing to the fact the amount is less than 15,000 francs (CHF).

The English FA was fined CHF 45,000 and the Scottish FA CHF 20,000 for displays of the symbol and acts of misconduct by fans during the sides' World Cup qualifying game on November 11^th.

The Welsh FA was also fined CHF 20,000 and Northern Ireland CHF 15,000 for displays during their World Cup qualifying games with Serbia and Azerbaijan on November 12^th and 11^th respectively.

All four associations had been warned in advance of the games that wearing the poppy symbol by players was not permissable at any official international game, competitive or friendly.

Both England and Scotland chose to ignore the edict and had the symbol emblazoned on players' shirts, while Wales and Northern Ireland featured displays in the pitch and stands.

The FAI was retrospectively charged eight months after the fact when, during the poppy row, it was pointed out that FIFA had overlooked or shown leniency with respect to political symbolism on that occasion.

Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Claudio Sulser, insisted that the organisation “fully respect[s] the significance of such moments” and did not intend to cast judgement.

He 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.”