There must always be “zero tolerance” for racist abuse in sport, the Irish Soccer Referees Society. 

Yesterday, England players walked off the pitch after one teenager complained that he had been subjected to racist abuse in their match against the Republic of Ireland’s Under 15s side. 

The Republic of Ireland had established a 4-1 lead over England at the time of the alleged incident. 

In a statement, FIFA said that the matter “will be referred to the independent disciplinary committee, who will decide in due course”. 

On Lunchtime Live, Sean Slattery of the Irish Soccer Referees Society said there is understandably a “big focus” in sport given the alleged incident. 

He assured listeners that there are now “strong regulations” to deal with abuse on the football pitch. 

“If our members, any of our members here, actually hear the words being used, there's an immediate red card to the offender - be it a player or coach, there's no discretion,” he explained. 

“The referees are duty bound just to report the allegation… There's a strong stance taken on it and we've zero tolerance for any of our members that don't enforce it.” 

Mr Slattery continued that the rule comes “from the top down”, but that it is “rare that it actually happens”. 

“But in the cases where it does [happen], as far as we're concerned, zero tolerance and it has to be dealt with,” he said. 

“It's a great rule that came in because people got away with slagging off other people and maybe stuff that was taken for granted years ago.

“They don't have to do it now and especially with the multicultural [society] that we have at the moment as well, I think enforcement is the right thing.”

Main image: Football boots. Picture by: Alamy.com.