The Football Association of Ireland has opened an inquiry into claims that striker Adam Idah was subjected to racist abuse from Israel supporters during the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 Uefa Nations League win on Sunday.
Midfielder Jayson Molumby reportedly alerted the match officials during the game and asked them to monitor chants from a section of the small group of Israel supporters in attendance, which he believed may have been abusive.
Following the final whistle, the officials told FAI representatives that they had not heard any racist chanting after the concern was raised.
FAI officials later discussed the alleged incident with Uefa’s match delegate. They were told that the standard procedures had not been activated because no specific racism allegation had been formally recorded during the match, meaning Uefa could not begin an inquiry.
The FAI is therefore carrying out its own review, collecting high-quality match footage and recordings from pitchside microphones to determine whether Idah was targeted with abusive language.
A panel appointed by the FAI will examine the video and audio material. Should it find evidence indicating that Idah was abused, the association plans to submit a formal complaint and ask Uefa to conduct a further investigation.
Idah did not notice any suspected abuse while the match was taking place. He is receiving support from his team-mates and staff ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s final three games of the current international window.
It remains uncertain whether the FAI will present its findings to Uefa before or after Sunday’s match against Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia, which will be played without spectators.
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