An Israeli DJ’s unfortunate playlist selection landed European soccer officials in hot water Saturday, when a song containing racially-provocative lyrics was played before England’s Under 21 encounter with Norway.
The song, which included several references to the “n-word,” was played over Petah Tikva’s HaMoshava stadium loudspeakers and made it on to several international broadcasts of the game, just moments before UEFA’s traditional anti-racism message was played.
“There was a misunderstanding regarding instructions to the local DJ about acceptable lyrics inside the stadium,” said a UEFA statement. “The process will be reviewed accordingly.”
England was the first country to be eliminated from the eight-country European Under-21 Championship tournament after succumbing to Norway 3-1 Saturday.
Israel was also heading out of the tournament, after going down comprehensively to the Italians, 4-0, later the same day.
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