An investigation has been launched after teammates flagged hearing racist abuse from Israeli fans aimed at Adam Idah during its controversial Nations League game against the Republic of Ireland.
According to media reports, Irish midfielder Jayson Molumby heard offensive chants during the first half of the game and motioned for referee Harm Osmer, and the fourth official Florian Exner, to listen.
Although UEFA will not take the matter forward, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is scrutinising what happened.
UEFA claims it cannot open a formal investigation because neither the officials or Idah heard the chants themselves, nor did Molumbi specify when reporting the incident that it involved ‘racism’. This is despite it being reported by Irish media that UEFA confirmed Idah faced racial abuse, which included monkey chants.
Extra.ie wrote:
The FAI [is] said to be reviewing the footage themselves, but UEFA [has] told them that because the formal steps did not take place, no review can take place. Adam Idah was reportedly offered support by the FAI, but admitted he was unaffected by the incident, having not noticed it in real time.
The FAI will analyse footage shared online of the alleged abuse and audio recordings of the match. If evidence is gathered to support the allegation, the FAI plans to lodge a complaint with UEFA and request a new formal investigation, the BBC reported.
Adam Idah didn’t hear alleged racist abuse
The politically-charged Nations League almost did not happen as players originally refused to play Israel at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Hungary, with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunuwithdrawing from that game and the one to come.
The Republic of Ireland national team and the FAI had faced intense pressure from fans and politicians to pull out given Ireland’s well-known stance in support of Palestine.
Following discussions within the squad, the match took place and ended in a 3-0 victory for the Republic of Ireland within the first 12 minutes. Forward Idah, 25, who also plays for Swansea City, scored one of those goals.
As a sign of protest, the Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads whilst the Israeli national anthem was played. There was also no shaking hands with Israel’s footballers before the match.
Republic of Ireland faces Israel again this weekend
Al Jazeera reported that Ireland’s captain, Dara O’Shea, pledged to donate his match fees to aid Gaza.
The news outlet has also highlighted some video footage, which it claimed showed Israel supporters directing monkey chants at Idah, alongside footage of an Israeli supporter leading chants associated with the Israeli army.
Apparently, Yosef Haddad, whom Al Jazeera described as a member of a right-wing Israeli party and a candidate in the forthcoming Israeli parliamentary elections, was in the stands joining in with shouting slogans.
It remains unclear whether chanting about the Israeli military would be categorised as “negative behaviour” under UEFA’s rules on spectator behaviour.
According to UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, penalties for national associations whose fans are found guilty of breaking the rules can range from fines to stadium closures and bans on away ticket sales.
However, such sanctions are announced following a disciplinary investigation into the matter.
The two teams are set to play again on Sunday 4 October at 7.45pm, in Serbia.
Featured image via RTÉ
By Alaa Shamali
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