The reaction to the chant was polarized, reflecting deep-seated cultural and political divisions:
: Following the public outcry, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and manager Vera Pauw issued a sincere apology, stating they were "sorry collectively for any hurt caused". Players like Áine O'Gorman and Chloe Mustaki also expressed regret for what they described as a "lapse of judgment".
: In December 2022, UEFA fined the FAI €20,000 (£17,271) for the incident, citing a "violation of the basic rules of decent conduct". Context and Public Reaction
: The players were singing along to "Celtic Symphony," a 1987 song by the Irish band The Wolfe Tones . The chorus includes the line "Ooh ah, up the 'Ra," a slogan associated with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) .
In October 2022, the faced significant backlash after a video emerged of players chanting "Ooh ah, up the 'Ra" in their dressing room . The incident occurred during celebrations following their historic 1-0 victory over Scotland, which secured their first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup . Key Facts of the Incident