What happened in the final minute
England's Under-15 side refused to finish their World Cup group fixture against the Republic of Ireland in Baku on Monday, leaving the pitch after a player complained of being racially abused. The match was in its closing minute, with Ireland 4-1 ahead in the Group C encounter. Video showed an England player going towards the bench following a confrontation on the field.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S8]
The player is reported to have said an opponent called him a monkey and to have raised the matter with the coaching staff. England head coach Matt Thorpe then went to the referee, was seen asking him to come across, and told his players to leave the field. An assistant coach informed the official that the team was reporting racism and did not wish to play on.[S1]
When another match official came over to discuss what would happen next, the assistant repeated that England's players had no intention of resuming, and said one player had been upset by the incident. Footage later showed tense exchanges between the two coaching teams, with people on each side saying they were looking after their own players.[S1]
Fifa's response and the next steps
Fifa said it knew of an incident in the England-Ireland fixture at the Under-15 World Cup and Festival, and that the referee had abandoned the match after England declined to carry on. A spokesperson said official reports were being gathered and that the case would go to the governing body's independent disciplinary committee, which will determine whether further action is taken.[S1][S7]
The Football Association has not issued a statement. It is understood to be awaiting further details, to be treating the matter seriously and to be supporting its players and staff. The Football Association of Ireland has been approached for comment.[S1]
A new tournament on an unusual scale
This is the first edition of the Under-15 World Cup, which brings together 189 countries and territories. Matches are eight-a-side on smaller pitches and consist of two 20-minute halves. England had won all three of their earlier games, against Cambodia, Montenegro and Nicaragua, and were due to face Zimbabwe later on Monday, while Ireland were scheduled to play Cambodia.[S1]
Only group winners move into the top-tier competition this week; the remaining teams are split into other tiers according to their finishing positions. Fifa billed the event before kick-off as unmatched in scale and ambition, with more than 3,000 players taking part in 950 matches and every team guaranteed at least nine games. Arsène Wenger, Fifa's chief of global football development, said it offered players from around the world the opportunity to compete, learn and develop.[S1]
