THE FAI HAVE been fined five thousand euro by FIFA for using a logo to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Martin O’Neill’s side wore the emblem on their jerseys during the friendly match against Switzerland back in March.
A statement from football’s world governing body confirmed the news today.
“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 5,000 euro for the display of a political symbol on the shirt during the Republic of Ireland v Switzerland friendly match.
“The Disciplinary Committee has taken these decisions after analysing all of the specific circumstances of each case.
“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,” said the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Claudio Sulser.
The Boy’s in Green were not the only county to be punihsed, England’s FA meanwhile were fined 45,000 Swiss francs for wearing a poppy tribute to British war dead during their 11 November game against Scotland.
Gordon Strachan’s side were fined 20,000 Swiss francs, while Wales and Northern Ireland were given 20,000 and 15,000 Swiss franc fines respectively for making their own tributes.
