Ian Mallon: Women’s World Cup review cannot repeat Euro 2016 whitewash

Much of the Ireland camp controversies in France did not centre around the manager or the players, and instead were due to various shortcomings from the very top of the organisation.

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING: Manager Vera Pauw during a Republic of Ireland homecoming event on O'Connell Street in Dublin following the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

WITH the internal review into the Women’s World Cup underway at the FAI, already the contrasting views within the association are that it will go in one of two extreme directions – ‘Witch Hunt’ or ‘Whitewash’.

If it goes the way of the former, the report will be used as a document to force the exit of Vera Pauw, as tolerance levels towards the coach continue to plummet.