The FOI is urgently investigating reports that Ireland manager Stephen Kenny showed his players an “anti English video” which included “political content” as a motivational tool before last week’s game. Complaints to the FOI came from some of Ireland’s own players, who felt uncomfortable watching the film. Let’s call this out for what it is - anti English racism. If it was the other way round, or carried out by Gareth Southgate against any other nation on this Earth, he would already be gone by now. You can only imagine what was in that video, but it’s totally unacceptable, shows Stephen Kenny in his true colours, and leaves him with no place in football.
The FAI is investigating the matter, as you pointed out. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...phen-kenny-faces-fai-probe-anti-english-video It sounds like Stephen Kenny has a serious anti-English attitude which he cannot keep separate from his job. If his video actually had some players objecting out loud at the time it was shown (as the Guardian report says), his aim of uniting the team or 'firing it up' to give England a tougher game failed miserably. Kenny's basic competence as Republic of Ireland football manager is clearly open to question, as well as his use of political material to try to motivate his players. If this video allegation turns out to be true as it is being reported, I would expect him to be fired - for both reasons. If the FAI chooses another sanction but keeps him in his job, I think they will be storing up more trouble for the future. Not sure we need tweets from others expressing anti-English opinions to be added though. We know there is anti-English sentiment in many parts of Irish society, for obvious historical reasons. But Stephen Kenny's views are clearly not the views of all the people in his country.
Strange behaviour considering Ireland's most successful period was under an English manager, using players from England as well as other nationalities. It looks as though his position is now untenable, as well as genuinely out of date. If he thought this sort of thing would work he's an idiot. The Dubliners dropped all the IRA songs from their repertoire as soon as the troubles started, how long ago was that?
Jack Charlton shows how you can inspire a nation without all that nonsense. It sounds like everyone wanted to play for him.
Respect to the Irish players who objected to this racist rubbish. Many of them earn good livings in English football.
What he's done is a criminal offence, and if he's not prosecuted, then that will set a very dangerous precedent. History is a tool for education...use it as a weapon and all you'll get is chaos. No wonder the Irish team were so out of sorts.
Imagine the fallout if any European manager were to show footage from the wars of the 20th Century to try and generate hatred for opponents. Dylan O'Connell, whoever he is, is a cretin. I hope he doesn't live in the UK.
