The Football Association of Ireland confirmed last night that some Irish flags were being officially banned from today's match by the FIFA authorities in Japan.
The green, white and orange Tricolours under threat are those bearing the names of pubs in Ireland, which have been seen on TV at both Irish games. According to FIFA, this is against advertising regulations.
The FAI security officer, Mr Joe McGlew, said: "I don't know why FIFA did not tell us about this months ago, so we could have informed the fans. They intend to either take the flags away or cover the names of the bars on the flags because they think it is a form of cheap advertising. It's going to affect probably 85 per cent of our flags in the ground." - (PA).
Travel operators are reporting increased interest from Irish fans thinking of travelling to Korea if Ireland qualifies for the knock-out stages of the World Cup, writes Eithne Donnellan. Irrespective of whether Ireland qualifies for the last 16 by finishing first or second in their qualifying group, the next match will be in Korea.
Club Travel in Dublin has already started taking bookings for trips to Korea. The packages, costing €2,440, include return flights with Korean Airways to Seoul from June 14th to 18th, accommodation in a four-star hotel, an English-speaking guide and coach transfers from the airport. Match tickets are not included.