Well nice one, anyway, England.
Ireland have been officially charged by FIFA for commemorating the 1916 Rising on their jerseys earlier this year, which is technically in breach of FIFA's rules.
A number of British football journalists reported this afternoon that, having considered it midweek, FIFA will now take action against the FAI and Ireland for wearing the below symbol in an Easter fixture versus Switzerland.
Breaking: Fifa open disciplinary proceedings over Ireland's use of logo to commemorate 100th anniversary of Easter Rising earlier this year. pic.twitter.com/Mf8tPRNBXO
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) November 4, 2016
It starts: FIFA charge Republic of Ireland for using Easter Rising commemoration on their shirts in April.
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) November 4, 2016
This follows controversy surrounding England's endeavours to commemorate the victims of World War I by wearing a poppy on their jerseys for their upcoming Armistice Day World Cup qualifier with Scotland. FIFA, who have a blanket ban on what they consider to be 'political symbols' on international team's shirts, refused to give England or Scotland permission to wear poppies, believed to be on the basis that they are political or indeed 'persona' statements, which are outlawed by FIFA.
In a bizarre twist, however, a Rangers fan tweeted Conservative MP Damien Collins, alerting him to the symbol worn on Ireland's jerseys earlier this year as the country celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Irish Free State and commemorated the Easter Rising of 1916. Collins then asked of FIFA why they would allow Ireland wear such a symbol as far back as March 25th, and not permit England to wear a poppy later this month.
FIFA were apparently unaware that Ireland had done so, and will now take action.
In the space of a week, football's world governing body has managed to piss off the vast majority of Ireland and the UK, with just Northern Ireland and perhaps the Isle of Man remaining for a Grand Slam of some description. It is, however, worth noting that FIFA decided to take action against Thierry Henry for a certain handball back in 2009 only to very quietly drop it a couple of weeks later.
It's understood that Ireland will not lose points for breaking FIFA rules, and will instead face a fine. The FAI have said that it's 'unlikely' they will comment on the matter.
Breaking: John Delaney responds to news that Ireland have been charged over the 1916 commemoration jerseys. pic.twitter.com/nW1lAeoHbj
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 4, 2016
