The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has apologised, after players on the Women's National Team were seen signing an offensive song following their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
A video circulated on social media appeared to show the team, after the game, singing "Ooh ah, up the 'RA" - a song associated with support of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
In a statement, both the FAI and team manager Vera Pauw apologised.
"The Football Association of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland Ireland Women’s National Team Manager Vera Pauw apologise for any offence caused by a song sung by players in the Ireland dressing room after the FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying Play-off win over Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night," the statement said.
Pauw added: "We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to anyone who has been offended by the content of the post-match celebrations after we had just qualified for the World Cup.
"We will review this with the players and remind them of their responsibilities in this regard. I have spoken with players this morning and we are sorry collectively for any hurt caused, there can be no excuse for that," she said.
'There was a mistake made'
Speaking in Belfast, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said it should not have happened.
"I haven't seen the footage, but I've of course have heard about it," he said.
"What I've seen is the apology from Vera Pauw and from the FAI, and also from a number of players.
"I think those apologies are very sincere; Vera Pauw has said that she apologies from the bottom of her heart for offence caused."
Mr Coveney said it is time to move on and recognise the achievement made by the team.
"This is a group of people who are very tight and close-knit; clearly there was a mistake made after the match last night.
"That shouldn't have happened - I think it's acknowledged and there's a very sincere apology made, and I hope we can move on from that now.
"Last night was about sport, primarily, an extraordinary achievement by a group of people," he added.
