Fifa told of suspected racist abuse of Ikechi Anya

Ikechi Anya: Subjected to jeers. Picture: Getty

It is thought that Scotland winger Ikechi Anya was subjected to abuse from Macedonia supporters during the game on Tuesday evening.

In the early part of the match, which Scotland won 2-1 to move off the bottom of Group A, the away players were jeered every time they touched the ball but the level of the abuse seemed to go up a notch when Anya was in possession.

The Glasgow-born Watford player was making his first start for the national side and opened the scoring.

FARE announced via its  Twitter feed that it had alerted world football’s governing body to the alleged racism.

A short statement said: “FARE has passed on to Fifa details of racism at the FYR Macedonia vs. Scotland Fifa World Cup 2014 qualifying match.”

No-one from Fifa was available for comment last night.

The jeers at the Philip II National Arena petered out as the game wore on and, at full-time, the visiting players were  applauded off the park by many  of the remaining home fans after celebrating with the travelling supporters.

FARE is part-funded by the European Commission. Its aim is “to promote a commitment to fight discrimination at all levels of football across Europe – in stadiums, on the pitch, in administration, in coaching and sport education and through the media”.

Meanwhile, Scotland have slipped 13 places in the Fifa world rankings to 63rd.

The fall comes as a result of defeats to England and Belgium, who moved up four places to sixth. The new list takes into  account Scotland’s 2-1 victory over Macedonia, who jumped 14 places to 75th.

England slipped to 17th, their lowest position since 2001.