Carla Ward says she supports any players' decision not to wear a poppy as part of Remembrance Day commemorations after four of her Republic of Ireland players opted against having the symbol on their jerseys earlier this month.
Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton and Hove Albion), Abbie Larkin and Hayley Nolan (both Crystal Palace) did not wear poppies on their shirts during WSL and WSL 2 games over a fortnight ago.
Former Ireland men's international James McClean, now at Wrexham, has long opted out of wearing a poppy, saying last year: "The poppy, which originally stood for World War One and Two, has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world, including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday Jan 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland."
Ward said none of her players had spoken to her about their decision beforehand but backed their right to make the choice.
"I think it's important that everybody makes their own decisions and their beliefs are their beliefs, I think that's really important," she said.
"Everybody has lived through different experiences and everybody is entitled to believe and feel in a way that they do feel."
"Ultimately you never want players to be subjected to ridiculous abuse and it was undeserved, unwarranted."
Responding to the barrage of abuse the players - in particular McCabe - were subjected to on social media, Ward added: "I think that it was unwarranted because everybody has their own beliefs and reasons for those beliefs.
"I won't mention what players or what club but I actually was quite involved in a conversation with certain players and a club on how uncomfortable maybe a player was and wasn't and the difference in that, the dynamic that that caused.
"But the way the club handled it was excellent and they came together and found a solution as an entire team. I think that was really important because ultimately you never want players to be subjected to ridiculous abuse and it was undeserved, unwarranted."
In a lengthy press conference, Ward offered a comprehensive update on her short and longer-term plans with Ireland.
She revealed that she requested Ireland's upcoming friendly against Hungary in Marbella to be played behind closed doors. The Girls in Green will end the year with a Spanish training camp before using the Hungarian clash to work on specific ideas ahead of March's World Cup qualifiers against France and the Netherlands.
"It was my idea because we want to try some bits and pieces," she said.
"Like I said, this is about next year now and the work we want to try and get in ahead of that. We know Hungary will play in a certain way that we will face. And the importance of doing that work without, say, France and Netherlands (seeing it), it's the small one per centres.
"We have to look at the bigger picture. The importance of the games in the A League for our World Cup qualifying campaign is absolutely massive. Every single tiny percentage we can try and get on our side, we're going to need that."
Ward had more clarity on the future of Kelly Brady, who has been included in the squad for the first time having been invited into training last month ahead of the Nations League promotion/relegation play-off meeting with Belgium.
The 23-year-old had a brilliant campaign with double winners Athlone Town this year, but is currently a free agent.
"Yeah, she's got options," said Ward. "She's trained at a couple of clubs in England, she has a couple of offers already.
"My advice is don't panic, get the right option for you where she's going to play and I think she'll get that. But there is a natural interest in her and I'm sure come the window she'll make the right decision and the right move for her."
The head coach also admitted she's still hoping to get some recently retired players involved in her backroom setup.
Diane Caldwell, Niamh Fahey, Julie-Ann Russell and Louise Quinn all hung up their boots in 2025.
"There is a conversation," Ward added. "I'd really tried early on to try and create something and make something happen. It's taken a bit of time and there's some conversations on, can we get that in place ready for next year? I think the impact of former players in the building is huge."
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