Claim: Several X(formerly known as Twitter) users, shared a video on the platform alleging that The Republic of Ireland’s under-17 women’s team had turned their backs in protest when the Israeli anthem played.
@abierkhatib ‘s tweet had been reposted by 7.2K users (at the time of writing the article)
Fact Check:
An investigation conducted by the DFRAC team found that the claim was misleading and that there was no political intention by the Irish team. These facts were further verified by The Irish Times, Daily Star and The Irish Independent.
According to these news sites, The Football Association of Ireland issued a statement to rectify the “misinterpretation” surrounding the team’s stance during Israel’s anthem. They clarified that initially, both teams faced the same direction during the Israeli national anthem. Subsequently, the Ireland team turned to face the tricolor, a tradition among many Irish teams, for the rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann, before returning to complete the standard pre-match protocols.
Conclusion
Thus, it is clear that the viral claim is misleading. The Football Association of Ireland issued a statement to rectify the “misinterpretation” surrounding the team’s stance during Israel’s anthem.
DFRAC Analysis: Misleading.
