English FA fear anti-IRA chants at Dublin game

Both the Republic of Ireland and Poland face Uefa charges arising out of Sunday night’s Group D Euro 2016 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.

Martin O’Neill’s side are charged with improper conduct of the team, which is automatically brought if a side is shown five or more yellow cards.

Wes Hoolahan, John O'Shea and Séamus Coleman were all booked in the first half by Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson, while Marc Wilson and James McCarthy were shown yellow cards in the second half of the 1-1 draw.

The sanctions open to Uefa are either a warning or a fine.

Poland were charged after their fans threw objects during the game.

The game in Dublin wasn’t the only Group D fixture to attract the attention of Uefa, with Georgia charged over a pitch invasion and for poor organisation of their match at home to Germany, which they lost 2-0.

The incidents at the game in Tbilisi could see Georgia’s home qualifier against Scotland in September played behind closed doors.

Uefa is also set to look at charges that allege home fans were guilty of setting off fireworks while a string of safety breaches, including blocked stairs, locked gates and a lack of body searches by staff at the Boris Paichadze Stadium, will also be investigated.

The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) has already vowed to tighten up security in the wake of the crowd disturbances.

But GFF president Zviad Sichinava admits he fears Uefa will force him to shut the stadium for the September 4th meeting with Gordon Strachan’s side, throwing Scottish supporters’ travel plans into chaos.

He said: “Delegates from Uefa are already sending reports and unfortunately there will be monetary sanctions.

“Also the next Georgia home game – against Scotland – could be held without spectators.”

The hearings in relation to both matches will take place on May 21st.

England fans sang anti-IRA songs during Tuesday’s friendly in Italy despite efforts from the Football Association to stamp the chants out in the wake of last year’s match in Scotland.

England fans caused controversy last November when they chanted “F*** the IRA” during the 3-1 victory at Celtic Park.

Even though the FA liaised with fan groups after the Scotland game to try to prevent such chants happening again, they were heard during England’s 1-1 draw at the Juventus Stadium in Turin on Tuesday.

Any repeat during England’s next match against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva stadium on June 7th would lead to yet more criticism.

After the win in Scotland, the FA made it clear it was unhappy about the chants.

As FA spokesman said following the match in Glasgow: “We apologise for any offence caused by a section of the England support at the match with Scotland. The FA does not condone inappropriate and offensive chanting and intends to meet with supporters’ groups to discuss the wider issues.

“We have consistently urged supporters to show respect and not to chant songs that could be regarded as insulting to others – particularly from a religious or political perspective.”