FAI say they 'encourage' Ireland players to get Covid vaccine but 'accept' personal choices

Stephen Kenny’s squad, which flew out of Dublin to Baku on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, has been repeatedly disrupted by Covid in the last year

The FAI released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, a day after Ireland striker Callum Robinson revealed he had chosen not to have the jab despite contracting the virus twice. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The FAI has insisted it must “respect” and “accept” the choice of players not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite the disruption the virus has caused.

A day after Ireland striker Callum Robinson revealed he had opted not to be inoculated against coronavirus despite twice testing positive, the FAI issued a statement confirming it had encouraged the take-up of the vaccine, but could go no further.