FAI steps in after reports of possible Israel fan chants come out following Adam Idah’s racism claim
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has started looking into claims that striker Adam Idah was racially abused by Israeli fans during Ireland’s 3-0 win in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday. Reports say midfielder Jayson Molumby brought up the issue with match officials during the game, which was played at a neutral venue in Debrecen, Hungary. After the match, officials told the FAI they did not personally hear the racist chants said to come from Israeli fans.
A UEFA match delegate told the FAI no clear racism complaint was made, so UEFA couldn’t open an investigation. However, the FAI has launched their own inquiry, checking video and audio to see if Idah faced racial abuse. Idah, one of Ireland’s three goal scorers alongside Troy Parrott and Jack Moylan, wasn’t aware of any chants during the game but is now getting support from the FAI and teammates before the next match in Serbia on October 4.
Al Jazeera, an Arabic news outlet, reported that Idah was targeted with “monkey chants,” with videos spreading on social media. Some Israeli fans also chanted about their military. Youseph Haddad, who belongs to an Israeli right-wing party, recorded a video in the stands and shared it online. He said, “Yes, we lose in football, but where we don’t lose, the IDF [Israeli Defence Force]. We always win. The Irish team may have beaten us on the field, but they will never break the Israeli spirit.”
It’s not clear if UEFA will take disciplinary action against Israel. Before the match, Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu left the squad after talking with teammates, saying, “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 play in the upcoming games against Israel.”
During the Sunday game, team captain Dara O’Shea and Israel’s Manor Solomon didn’t shake hands. Ireland’s players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during Israel’s anthem. The FAI CEO explained the black armbands were worn to honor “all lives lost” in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
It was also reported that Solomon and Ireland defender Jake O’Brien had a tense exchange on the field. O’Brien allegedly said, “Shame on you for what you’re doing in Gaza. You deserve to lose.” Solomon replied, “Come out, be a man. Don’t talk behind a wall. It’s a shame the game wasn’t in Israel—you would understand what the best country in the world is.”
Speaking after the game, Solomon called the comments “nonsense” and avoided directly replying. He said, “If I say what I think of them, I might get banned for a few games. Of course they hate us, and we don’t like them. I’m already looking forward to the next game against them; it’ll be completely different.”
He added, “They (the Irish players) don’t interest me. We have a country ten times better and stronger than theirs, with amazing people. We’re proud to wear the team shirt and to be Israelis. We’re proud of our state and soldiers. They can try their tricks, but we are Israelis, and that will always be true. If I say more, I’d likely be suspended. Obviously, they hate us; we don’t like them.”
Ireland will play Austria at home on October 1, and Israel will host Kosovo the same day.