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FIFA has launched an investigation after England’s Under-15 team walked off the pitch during their World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland following an allegation of racist abuse.
The match took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday, October 26, with Ireland leading 4–1 when the incident occurred in the closing moments of the game. The situation reportedly followed an altercation between players after the referee awarded England a free kick.
An England player subsequently approached his team’s bench to report the alleged incident. Head coach Matt Thorpe and his staff then instructed the players to leave the field rather than continue playing.
FIFA confirmed that the referee abandoned the match after England refused to resume. The governing body said it was gathering official reports and would refer the matter to its independent Disciplinary Committee for further consideration.
The allegation has not yet been conclusively established, and the investigation is expected to determine what happened and whether disciplinary action is warranted.
The incident has renewed attention on efforts to combat racism in football, particularly in youth competitions, where governing bodies are expected to protect players and ensure that matches are conducted in a safe and respectful environment.
The inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival features teams from 189 countries and territories. The competition uses an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves.
The investigation comes as football authorities continue to face pressure to respond decisively to allegations of discriminatory behaviour. FIFA’s eventual findings could determine whether further action is taken in connection with the abandoned fixture.
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