England U15 team walks off pitch over alleged racist slur in World Cup match

Fifa investigating after Republic of Ireland player accused of racial abuse; match abandoned in final minute

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Updated26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

England's under-15 team walked off the pitch during a World Cup match in Azerbaijan on Monday after alleging a racist slur was directed at one of their players by a Republic of Ireland opponent, leading the referee to abandon the game. Fifa is investigating the incident, which occurred in the final minute of the Group C fixture in Baku with Ireland leading 4-1.

The match, part of the inaugural U15 World Cup and Festival, was stopped when an England player approached his bench and made a complaint to coaching staff. On match coverage broadcast by DAZN, England head coach Matt Thorpe was seen calling his players off the pitch after relaying the allegation to the referee.

An assistant coach was heard telling the referee, "We are reporting racism" and "we do not want to play." When an official suggested discussing the matter after the match, the assistant replied, "No, our players do not want to play," later adding that a player was "upset."

A Fifa spokesperson confirmed the match was "abandoned by the referee following England's refusal to continue" and said official reports were being gathered. "The matter will be referred to the independent disciplinary committee, who will decide in due course," the spokesperson told BBC Sport.

The Football Association said it was awaiting more information and was in touch with Fifa, adding that player wellbeing was a priority. The Football Association of Ireland has been contacted for comment.

The tournament, which involves 189 of Fifa's 211 member associations, uses an eight-a-side format with 20-minute halves. Heated words were exchanged between coaching staff from both sides, with each saying they were trying to protect their players. England were due to face Zimbabwe later on Monday, while Ireland were scheduled to play Cambodia.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

This is the first reported racism allegation at the new U15 World Cup, a tournament designed to include nearly all Fifa member nations.
The incident tests Fifa's disciplinary process for youth-level racial abuse and could set a precedent for how similar complaints are handled.
Both teams face immediate playing schedules; any suspension or forfeit would affect group standings and the integrity of the competition.

Background

The Under-15 World Cup and Festival is a new Fifa event involving 189 countries and territories. Matches are eight-a-side on smaller pitches with 20-minute halves. Monday's match was a Group C fixture in Baku, Azerbaijan. The tournament format means teams play multiple matches over a short period; England and Ireland both had games scheduled later the same day.

Key Perspectives

England team: players and coaching staff alleged a racist slur was used by a Republic of Ireland player. The team walked off in protest after reporting the incident to the referee, stating they did not want to continue. Fifa: confirmed the match was abandoned after England refused to play and said official reports are being gathered for review by the independent disciplinary committee. Football Association: said it is awaiting further information and is in contact with Fifa, prioritising player wellbeing.

What to Watch

The Fifa disciplinary committee's decision in the coming days, which could result in sanctions or a match replay.
Whether the Republic of Ireland team or individual players respond publicly to the allegation.
The impact on England and Ireland's remaining group matches and their tournament prospects.

Sources

England-Republic of Ireland U15 World Cup game ends over alleged racism · BBC Northern Ireland
Eng v Ire U15 WC match abandoned after alleged racism · RTÉ News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedEngland’s under-15 team walked off the pitch over an alleged racist slur in a World Cup match.BBC Northern Ireland: “England walked off the pitch during a match at the Under-15 World Cup after an allegation of racism by a Republic of Ireland player”
SupportedFIFA is investigating the incident.BBC Northern Ireland: “World governing body Fifa told BBC Sport it is investigating and gathering reports.”
SupportedThe match was abandoned in the final minute.BBC Northern Ireland: “The alleged incident happened in the final minute of the Group C match in Baku.”
SupportedThe allegation was that a racist slur was directed at an England player by a Republic of Ireland opponent.BBC Northern Ireland: “Match footage then showed England staff members relaying the complaint to the referee, alleging a racist slur had been said”
SupportedEngland’s walk-off led the referee to abandon the game.BBC Northern Ireland: “The match was abandoned by the referee following England's refusal to continue.”
SupportedIreland were leading 4-1 at the time of the incident.BBC Northern Ireland: “Republic of Ireland were leading 4-1 at the time of the incident.”
Partly supportedThe match was stopped when an England player approached the bench and complained to coaching staff.BBC Northern Ireland: “shortly before the end of the match in Azerbaijan on Monday, an England player approached his bench and made a complaint to coaching staff. Match footage then showed England staff members relaying the complaint to the referee”
SupportedAn assistant coach told the referee, “We are reporting racism”.BBC Northern Ireland: “One of Thorpe's assistant coaches can then be heard telling the referee "we are reporting racism"”
SupportedThe assistant coach told the referee, “we do not want to play”.BBC Northern Ireland: “before adding "we do not want to play".”
SupportedThe assistant coach said, “No, our players do not want to play”.BBC Northern Ireland: “the assistant told him: "No, our players do not want to play".”
Partly supportedAn official suggested discussing the matter after the match.BBC Northern Ireland: “When another official came over, talking about what would happen after the match”
SupportedThe FIFA spokesperson said the match was “abandoned by the referee following England's refusal to continue”.BBC Northern Ireland: “The match was abandoned by the referee following England's refusal to continue.”