An allegation of racist abuse aimed at Republic of Ireland’s Adam Idah by Israeli fans during the Nations League clash between the two countries will not be investigated because Uefa’s protocols were not correctly followed.
The European governing body confirmed as much when speaking to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) following the 3-0 victory for Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side on Sunday.
According to an FAI spokesperson, Irish midfielder Jayson Molumby heard the chants directed at Idah during the first half and asked the referee, Harms Osmers, and fourth official, Florian Exner, to listen for them.
But, Molumby did not state that a racial incident had occured and, couple with the officials not hearing any racist abuse themselves, an official Uefa investigation cannot be opened.
Despite that stance from Uefa the FAI had said that they will review video footage of the incident in order to make a case to Uefa to investigate.
“We’re going to review the video evidence from the game and try and determine if there is any evidence of racism,” said an FAI spokesperson. “If we believe that to be the case, we will send [the evidence] to Uefa demanding an investigation into the incident.”
The FAI also noted that Idah was not sure if he heard racist chants and they say he is unaffected by the incident.
Ireland’s Nations League clash with Israel has been in the spotlight all week with the Irish players holding a meeting on Friday to determine whether they would even play the fixture.
The nature of Israel’s conflict with Palestine in Gaza was the major factor for the players’ meeting and a vote was taken on whether they should take a stand a refuse to play.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was a leading voice against playing and made himself unavailable for the match as well as the return fixture against Israel on Sunday 4 October. Bazunu will be available for selection to play against Austria on Thursday however.
“I have been speaking to Gavin multiple times a day, regularly going to his room,” explained Hallgrimsson. “All of us have been going to his room. I think he is very happy we won the game.
“None of us asked him not to take his stand. And now he is flying back with us on the plane. He is in the squad and the plan is he will be with us against Austria and not against Israel in the second game.
“We will need to call in a third goalkeeper.”
Further discussions are likely to continue between the players and the FAI around the second Israel game next Sunday though Hallgrimsson had no update on whether that match will or will no go ahead.
He said: “It was a tough enough decision to play this game. You know the story, everything seems to leak from private player meetings. You probably know more than me.”
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