Fifa investigates after England-Ireland U15 match abandoned over racism allegation

Fifa is investigating the abandonment of England's Under-15 World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland after England reported an allegation of racist abuse, BBC Sport reported on Monday. England's players left the pitch following the complaint, and the referee abandoned the game. Ireland were leading 4-1 when play stopped; that was the score at the time of the incident, not a completed match result.

The incident occurred in the final minute of the Group C fixture in Baku, Azerbaijan. According to BBC Sport, an altercation between players was followed by an England player approaching his team's bench to speak to coaching staff. England staff then relayed an allegation that an Ireland player had used a racist slur and called their team off the pitch.

Fifa told the broadcaster that it was collecting official reports and would refer the matter to its independent disciplinary committee, which would make a decision in due course. The governing body said the referee abandoned the match after England declined to continue. Its response did not announce a disciplinary finding or sanction, and the allegation remains subject to that process.

BBC Sport's account of the DAZN match coverage described England head coach Matt Thorpe asking the referee to come over before withdrawing his players. An assistant coach subsequently told the referee that staff were reporting racism and that the team did not want to continue. The assistant also indicated that a player was upset. Coaching staff from both teams exchanged heated words, with each side saying it was seeking to protect its players.

The Football Association and Football Association of Ireland had been approached for comment, BBC Sport said. The report did not include responses from either association. Fifa's collection of the match reports and the referral to its disciplinary committee are the next procedural steps it has identified.

The match was part of the inaugural Under-15 World Cup and Festival, involving 189 countries and territories. The competition uses eight-a-side games on smaller pitches, with two 20-minute halves. Monday's abandonment came shortly before the scheduled end of one of those group matches.