FAI reports alleged racist comment during U17 match to Uefa

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

An alleged racist incident during an under-17 football match between the Republic of Ireland and Poland has been reported to Uefa.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said the alleged incident occurred in the second half of the qualifying match in Poland on Saturday.

A comment was reported to the match officials at the time and the players immediately made Republic of Ireland U17 head coach Colin O’Brien aware of the incident.

Mr O’Brien then reported the remark to the match officials two more times during the match.

 

Following the conclusion of the game, FAI officials made a further report to the Uefa delegate and the delegate has since confirmed the incident will be submitted in the final report to Uefa.

The FAI has offered its “full and unequivocal support” to the player who was allegedly subjected to racism and to his team-mates.

In a statement, it said: “The FAI does not tolerate any form of racism towards any of our players or staff and we expect Uefa to investigate fully and take the appropriate action. Racism has no place in the game at any level.”

Mr O’Brien added: “Racism has no place in the game at any level and no-one should be subjected to any form of abuse.

“It has no place in society and, as a staff and a team, we’ve offered our full support to our player.

“I’m fully supportive of the association escalating the incident up to Uefa and we await strong disciplinary action from the authorities to send a message out that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Uefa has been contacted for comment.