NO FAI JABS FOR KENNY’S SQUAD

“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

FAI said in a statement last night.

Tested

“The FAI 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 protocol ....

“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 statement added

The Minister for Sport, Jack Chambers, however, said yesterday the FAI should have shown better leadership.

The Dublin West TD (left) said it would be “much more positive for sporting role models to show leadership, to speak positively, about the vaccine.”

Kenny’s revelation that a number of his squad have opted out of getting the vaccine complicates the party’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier with Azerbaijan in Baku and Tuesday’s Dublin friendly with Qatar.