England Under-15s abandon World Cup match in Baku after racism allegation

England’s Under-15 team walked off the pitch in Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday and the match was abandoned after a player reported being subjected to a racist slur during their Under-15 World Cup fixture against the Republic of Ireland, with Ireland leading 4-1.

The allegation arose in the final minute of the Group C game when footage showed an England player approach his bench following an altercation and complain to coaching staff that an opponent had called him a “monkey”. England’s head coach, Matt Thorpe, was seen asking the referee to come over before instructing his players to leave the field. One of England’s assistant coaches told the referee: "We are reporting racism", and later reiterated that the team did not want to resume, saying a player was upset by the incident. There were later heated exchanges between members of the two coaching teams.

"Fifa is aware of an incident at the Under-15 World Cup and Festival match between England and the Republic of Ireland," said a Fifa spokesperson, adding: "The match was abandoned by the referee following England’s refusal to continue." The spokesperson said official reports were being collected and that the matter would be referred to Fifa’s independent disciplinary committee, which would decide on any further action.

The Football Association has not issued a public comment but is understood to be waiting for more information, is said to be taking the matter seriously and is providing support to players and staff. The Football Association of Ireland has been contacted for comment.

The inaugural Under-15 World Cup involves 189 countries and territories and is played in an eight-a-side format on smaller pitches, with two 20-minute halves. Organisers have described the event in promotional material as a festival-format competition linked to development initiatives.

England had won their three previous matches in the group against Cambodia, Montenegro and Nicaragua and were scheduled to face Zimbabwe later on Monday; the Republic of Ireland were due to play Cambodia. Only the group winners will progress to the top-tier competition this week, with the remaining teams divided into separate tiers depending on where they finish.

More than 3,000 players are taking part across 950 matches, with each team guaranteed a minimum of nine games. Arsène Wenger described the event as giving "players from across the world the chance to compete, to learn and to grow" and Fifa had characterised the tournament as "unrivalled in scale or ambition" in pre-tournament commentary.

Fifa’s independent disciplinary committee will consider the collected reports and determine any further action; England were due to play Zimbabwe later on Monday and only group winners will move into the top-tier competition this week.