FAI investigates alleged racial abuse of Adam Idah after Ireland v Israel match
September 28, 2026 15:21
The Football Association of Ireland is investigating whether Republic of Ireland forward Adam Idah was racially abused by Israel supporters during Sunday’s 3-0 UEFA Nations League win in Debrecen, Hungary. The FAI is collecting pitchside audio and high-quality match footage to determine if abuse was directed at Idah.
During the game midfielder Jayson Molumby spoke to match officials and asked them to listen for what he believed to be abusive chanting from a small number of Israel fans present. Match officials later told FAI staff they had not heard racist chanting after full-time. The UEFA match delegate said no clear allegation of racism was reported during the match, so the normal UEFA protocols were not followed and UEFA did not open an investigation at that time.
KEY CONTEXT
A panel is being established by the FAI to analyse the collected footage and audio. If the panel concludes there is evidence of racist abuse, the FAI will make a complaint to UEFA and request a further investigation by the European governing body. It is currently unclear whether any complaint would be presented to UEFA before or after Sunday’s behind-closed-doors fixture against Israel in Bačka Topola, Serbia.
Idah was unaware of any possible abuse during the match and is being supported by team-mates and staff as Ireland complete the current international break. Swansea City forward Idah scored the second goal in Debrecen.
MATCH AND OFF-FIELD DETAILS
The game, held in Debrecen, took place amid widespread protests in Ireland over the decision to fulfil the fixtures. About 300 Israel supporters attended; no tickets were sold to Irish fans although a small number did enter the stadium. The two nations did not shake hands or exchange pennants before the match, and the Irish players bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem. After Ireland’s third goal, Jack Moylan held up and kissed a black armband the players were wearing "in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict."
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad before the first game, saying on social media: "I am a man of strong faith, and try my best to be a person of character and principle. Therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel." Bazunu returned to the squad for Ireland’s match against Austria in Dublin but will be absent again for the second game against Israel.
Reactions from the Israel side included a comment from captain Manor Solomon: "I'm waiting for the next game against them - it will be a completely different game entirely. They don't interest me. We have a country 10 times better than theirs - stronger, an amazing country with amazing people. We are proud to wear the team shirt and to be Israelis. We are proud of our state and of our soldiers."
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The FAI panel will review the audio and footage it has gathered and decide whether to refer evidence to UEFA for a further investigation. Ireland’s second fixture against Israel is scheduled to be played behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, Serbia.