Neil Lennon hopes Ireland's players "learn their lesson and learn it quickly" after a video circulated showing some of the squad singing a pro-IRA song after their World Cup play-off win over Scotland.
The Girls in Green made history on Tuesday night by becoming the first Ireland team to qualify for the Women's World Cup after beating Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park.
Shortly after the match, a video emerged on social media showing a number of players singing along to Wolfe Tones song Celtic Symphony, which includes a pro-IRA reference.
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Former Celtic boss and Northern Ireland international Lennon was asked about the video ahead of coaching Omonia Nicosia against Manchester United in the Europa League.
“It is a social thing,” he said. “It has been around a lot longer than I have been on this earth.
“I have been through it myself on both sides. It’s got to come from the home.
“Kyle (Lafferty) has made a mistake. He has to own that. I don’t know the reference about the Republic team.
“The Celtic fans are anti-monarchists and have been for a long time. It is not just a sporting thing. It is a political thing.
“Obviously the Troubles in Ireland have been well documented for over 50 years. How do you change it?
“You just have to keep beating the drum to try and find a level playing field but it is not just sectarianism.
“There is racism in sport and sexism as well in some quarters. We live in an open society.
“We are trying to move forward but every now and then we get dragged back.
“I can’t comment for the individuals. I can’t speak for the individuals. I just hope they learn their lesson and learn it quickly.”
Ireland boss Vera Pauw apologised for any offence caused as her jubilant players celebrated reaching the World Cup finals for the first time.
Manager Pauw and her employers, the Football Association of Ireland, issued an apology on Wednesday morning.
An FAI statement said: “The Football Association of Ireland and the Republic of 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 Women’s World Cup qualifying play-off win over Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.”
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.”
Further social media footage showed the Ireland players celebrating both on their flight home from Glasgow and after they had touched down in Dublin, where emergency crews assembled to welcome their return with sirens and flashing lights.
Amber Barrett’s cool 72nd-minute finish had earlier secured their passage to Australia and New Zealand, where they will join holders the United States and European champions England at next summer’s finals.
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