The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has reported three alleged incidents of racism during an Under-15s football match between the Republic of Ireland and the United Arab Emirates at the Torneo Delle Nazioni tournament, held in Italy on Thursday.
Ireland emerged victorious with a score of 2-0, thanks to two goals from Archie Quinn. However, the FAI has expressed concern over comments directed at two Irish players, which were brought to the attention of match officials and tournament organisers.
Jason Donogue, the head coach of Ireland's Boys Under-15s, expressed his shock at the incidents, stating that players and staff were "appalled" to witness such behaviour in youth football. He emphasised the importance of supporting the affected players and their families, saying, "We have a duty to our players and staff, present and future, to call out incidents like this and fully expect the relevant bodies to investigate this and apply strong disciplinary action."
In light of these incidents, the FAI has reached out to both the UAE Football Association and organisers of the Torneo Delle Nazioni for further comment. The organisation has a history of tackling racism in youth football; in March, the FAI lodged a complaint with UEFA after an Under-17s player was reportedly subjected to racist remarks during a qualifier against Poland. More recently, in June 2023, Irish Under-21 players walked off the pitch during a match against Kuwait following similar allegations. Although that match was abandoned and the Kuwait Football Association dismissed the claims, the world governing body FIFA took no action against the situation.
The ongoing focus on these issues highlights the continued effort within football to combat racism, particularly at the youth level, demonstrating a commitment to ensuring a respectful environment for all players.
Source: Noah Wire Services