JAMES McClean and his Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill are at risk of missing their World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Serbia in September.
It comes after football’s world governing body Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against them.
Fifa are investigating their honest comments made after the Republic’s 1-1 draw with Austria at the start of the month.
Creggan-born Jamses and south Derry’s O’Neill were notg happy with the performance of referee David Fernandez Borbalan, who ruled out a late Shane Duffy winner which the hosts were adamant should have stood.
In his honest assessment after the match, West Brom midfielder James complained live on the radio after the game that Austria had a “12th man”.
Manager O’Neill agreed and described Borbalan as “very poor”.
Should Fifa find them guilty of inflammatory comments then game bans could follow.
And that would be a travesty as it would be likely to rule them out of the two qualifiers in September, along with potential financial penalties as well.
The Republic are currently four points clear of Austria at the top of qualifying Group D with four games to play with a great chance of making the World Cup finals in Russia next summer.
