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04th Nov 2016

FIFA open disciplinary proceedings over Ireland’s 1916 centenary jersey

Conor Heneghan

The move comes after FIFA were accused of double standards by a British MP.

FIFA have reportedly opened disciplinary proceedings against the FAI over a 1916 commemorative jersey worn in a friendly against Switzerland in March of this year.

The news comes in light of the decisions taken by the FAs of England and Scotland to defy a ban on players wearing poppies when they clash in a World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day, November 11.

A section of the laws of the game made up by the International Football Association Board (IAFB) and upheld by FIFA reads: “Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.

“Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo.

“For any infringement the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or to be justified by FIFA.”

After FIFA declared that both FAs could face sanction for their stance on the wearing of the poppy, Damian Collins MP, chairman of the Commons’ Culture, Media and Sport select committee, referenced Ireland’s 1916 commemorative jerseys worn against Switzerland in March and said he had called on Fifa to “clarify the issue”.

“That appears to be an absolutely classic example of leniency being shown to other countries,” Collins said.

Reports on Friday suggest that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the FAI as a result, some eight months after a game Ireland won 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium thanks to a Ciaran Clark goal.

The Irish FA will likely be fined by FIFA, according to the BBC’s Richard Conway.

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Topics:

Football