The archbishop and the Irish Soccer team

Remembered as one of the most influential figures in 20th Century Ireland, Archbishop John McQuaid was a towering figure. 70 years ago, tomorrow (19th October)  he became embroiled in a sporting controversy involving the Irish soccer team. The controversy in Irish soccer in 1955 was over a friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Yugoslavia. Archbishop John Charles McQuaid of Dublin called for a boycott of the match due to Yugoslavia's communist government persecuting Catholics, particularly Bishop Stepinac of Yugoslavia. Despite the religious and political pressure, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) went ahead with the fixture at Dalymount Park, which was attended by approximately 21, 000 people. The Sunday Independent reported:

A SPECIAL meeting of the Football Association of Ireland held in Dublin last night decided to proceed with the playing of the international football match against Yugoslavia at Dalymount Park on Wednesday next.

The meeting followed representations to the Association from the Department of Justice and from a representative of Most Rev. Dr. McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin, that the Association re-consider its decision to stage the match. The visiting team is expected to arrive- in Dublin to-morrow from Belgrade on a show or hands the meeting voted in favour of going ahead with the game, with one vote against, recorded by Lt. Col. T. Gunn. representing the Army Athletic Association.

Mr. J. Wickham Secretary of the Association, told the meeting that on Thursday he had received a telephone call from the Department of Justice telling him that permits were required to bring the visiting team and officials into the country. He replied that during the past 20 years the Association never before had to seek permits. In the case of Austria he had gone himself to London to arrange for the necessary Visas.

Mr. Wickham said that he was then again asked to reconsider the matter.  An Interview was arranged for him. with the Secretary of the Department of Justice, Mr. Coyne, at which a Principal Officer, Mr. Berry, was also present, and at which he (Mr. Wickham ) said that the Association had not invited the Yugoslav team to Ireland. They had expressed a desire to come, and the Association accepted.

He was then asked by the Department officials to obtain a full list of all members of the party who proposed to come, as they were from behind the Iron Curtain. The Department required their names so that it could ascertain if anyone of them was on a "Black List.

He had contacted the Yugoslav Embassy in London, said Mr. Wickham; and was told that they had taken up  the matter of "visas with the Irish Embassy there.

He went on to say that the Department asked the Football Association of Ireland to guarantee the cost of expenses m the event of repatriation being necessary if any member of the party remained on in Ireland.

Belgrade call

Mr Wickham said that he had received a telephone call from Belgrade and understood that the. passports were in London with the Football Association.

He then told the meeting that he had received a message from Very Rev. Pr. O'Regan, Chancellor, Archbishop's House, Dublin, saying that His Grace had heard with regret of the proposed match between Ireland and Yugoslavia, and of the proposed banquet. His Grace was sorry that the Football Association of Ireland had not the courtesy to approach him for his views and he hoped that even at this late stage that the match might be abandoned.

In 1952,  Mr. Wickham said, His Grace's advice In regard to a proposed match with -Yugoslavia was taken. Mr. Wickham said that  Fr. O'Regan asked him was it not bad policy to bring in representatives of a country which had persecuted Cardinal Stepinac.

Chairman's views

The Chairman, Mr. S. R. Prole, said that they regarded the matter as a sporting affair between two countries. He was sure that the counterpart of the F.A.I. in Yugoslavia had as much to say in the politics of that country as the Association had here. They had taken the game in good faith and felt at the time that to show people our way of living might have a good effect on those coming here. They were proud of their way of life in this country. The issue had now been put up to them as to what they were going to do. whether they were to go ahead with their arrangements for the match or strive to call it off. "I am afraid," the Chairman added, "our position, in the international world might be jeopardised in regard to future' international football.

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )