England’s Under-15 World Cup Group C match against the Republic of Ireland was abandoned on Monday after England alleged that an opposition player made a racist comment, bringing the game in Baku, Azerbaijan to an early end.
England players gather at the side of the pitch (Credits: BBC Sport)
The incident came shortly before the end of the match, following an altercation between players from both sides. An England player approached the bench and made a complaint to coaching staff, and match footage showed England staff relaying the allegation to the referee before calling their players off the pitch.
The Republic of Ireland were leading 4-1 at the time of the incident, which happened in the final minute of the game. England head coach Matt Thorpe was seen on the DAZN match coverage asking for the referee to come over, before instructing his players to leave the pitch.
England U15 vs Republic of Ireland Abandoned After Racism Allegation
According to the BBC report, the referee initially told England’s coaching staff that he could not hear the complaint. One of Thorpe’s assistant coaches was then heard telling the referee that the team was reporting racism and did not want to play, repeating that the players did not want to continue when another official approached.
Heated words were then exchanged between the two sets of coaching staff, with both sides saying they were trying to protect their players. The assistant coach was later heard saying that a player was upset following the alleged incident.
World governing body FIFA told BBC Sport that it is investigating and gathering reports. A FIFA spokesperson said the match was abandoned by the referee following England’s refusal to continue, and that official reports are being gathered before the matter is referred to the independent disciplinary committee, which will decide in due course.
FIFA Investigating U15 World Cup Incident in Baku
The Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland have been contacted for comment. No individual player has been publicly named in connection with the allegation, and the incident remains under investigation rather than a concluded finding.
The tournament is the first edition of the U15 World Cup and Festival, involving teams from 189 of FIFA’s 211 member associations. Matches are played in an eight-a-side format on smaller pitches, with 20-minute halves, making it a developmental showcase rather than a traditional full-size youth World Cup.
England are scheduled to play their next match against Zimbabwe, while the Republic of Ireland face Cambodia at the same time. Whether either team’s schedule or standing is affected by the abandoned Group C match will depend on the outcome of FIFA’s disciplinary process, which is now under way.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
