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FAI hit with UEFA fine after tennis ball protest

The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has announced their decision to fine the FA...
Stephen Doyle
Stephen Doyle

18.17 26 Apr 2019


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FAI hit with UEFA fine after t...

FAI hit with UEFA fine after tennis ball protest

Stephen Doyle
Stephen Doyle

18.17 26 Apr 2019


Share this article


The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has announced their decision to fine the FAI €10,000 for the 'throwing of objects' during the Euro 2020 group D qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia on March 26.

European football's governing body opened disciplinary proceedings at the end of last month as a result of the protest by Irish supporters during the 1-0 victory at the Aviva Stadium.

In the 33rd minute before the winning free-kick was taken by Conor Hourihane, some supporters threw tennis balls on to the field of play.

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It was in protest following revelations over the former FAI chief executive John Delaney's bridging loan of €100,000 - which was repaid in full - to the association in 2017.

The FAI were charged under Article 16 (2) of Uefa’s Disciplinary Regulations, which relates to the throwing of objects.

The article states that “all associations are liable for the inappropriate behaviour on the part of their supporters and may be subject to disciplinary measures and directives even if they can prove the absence of any negligence in relation to the organisation of the match.”

FAI board in turmoil

The FAI has been plunged into further turmoil since the incident which has resulted in the honorary secretary Michael Cody and honorary treasurer Eddie Murray stepping down, with the rest of the board due to leave in July.

Delaney, who took up the newly created role of executive vice-president, has since been placed on gardening leave.

This week, Irish senior men's manager Mick McCarthy insisted that all of the controversy surrounding the FAI over the last number of weeks wasn't proving to be a distraction for him or his players.

"Not at all," said McCarthy. "You saw it here [at the Aviva Stadium] and we saw the tennis balls come on and that was the start of it. It seems to me, if that was the beginning of the movement, it's had an effect already with what's happening within the FAI.

"But it had no effect on us. Not on me, not on the players, not on Conor Hourihane.

"I think Glenn Whelan, when he slid in after the goal and picked the ball up and threw it at the crowd and went "Come on!", that shows how much effect it had."


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