FAI Release Statement Following Robinson Vaccination Comments

Wednesday, 6 October 2021 at 15:02

They're re-iterating their belief in the right of all individuals to make a personal choice.

The FAI says it has encouraged players at all levels of the game to get the Covid vaccination.

However, the organisation says it respects and must accept the right of all individuals to make a personal choice on the vaccine.

It confirmed that all players and staff are tested for Covid 19 before reporting for international duty with Republic of Ireland teams and tested repeatedly in camps.

The statement comes after Irish international Callum Robinson says he's chosen not to get the vaccine, despite catching the virus twice.

The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that all players and staff are tested for COVID-19 before reporting for international duty with Republic of Ireland teams and are tested repeatedly in camp in line with FAI and UEFA protocols.

We have encouraged all our players at all levels of the game to be vaccinated but we respect and must accept the right of all individuals to make a personal choice on COVID-19 vaccination.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 🇮🇪👊

3️⃣ days until our first U21 home game of the season 💚

🇮🇪 v 🇱🇺
📅 Friday, October 8
⌚️KO. 5.15pm

📲🎟 Be there 👉 https://t.co/enqCQujd7E #IRLU21 | #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/DaHOkMSdhh
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 5, 2021

The Association will continue to exercise the highest standards for the safety of all our stakeholders. Our COVID-19 testing protocols for all players and staff on international duty strictly follow UEFA protocols and are compliant with all Irish Government guidelines.

The FAI reconfirms our support for all Government, UEFA and FIFA protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank all our stakeholders for their ongoing exemplary compliance with Government guidelines over the last 19 months.