Sports & Fitness

Racist behaviour of fans has forced Hungary to play behind closed doors

Football governing body’s suspension for ‘abhorrent behaviour in football’ in World Cup qualifier echoes similar sanction by UEFA during Euro 2020

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 22 Sep 2021 6:00PM

Racist behaviour of fans has forced Hungary to play behind closed doors
Although UEFA fined the Hungarian Football Federation for discriminatory behaviour by their supporters during Euro 2020, that sanction did not apply for the World Cup qualifier between England and Hungary on September 2 – as seen here during the match when a flare was thrown on to the pitch by home fans at Puskas Arena – as it was a FIFA game and UEFA did not ask for the punishment to be transferred – AFP pic, September 22, 2021

FIFA has ordered Hungary to play two matches behind closed doors following the racism experienced by English players at the World Cup qualifier in Budapest on September 2.

The second ground closure is suspended for two years, and the Hungarian Football Federation has been fined £158,400 (RM905,100).

'FIFA takes a clear zero-tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviour in football,' reads the statement from the governing body, adding that it remained 'firm and resolute in rejecting any form of racism and violence as well as any other form of discrimination or abuse'.

During Euro 2020 in June, although UEFA fined the Hungarian federation £85,500 (RM488,548) and ordered a three-game stadium closure with the final match being suspended for discriminatory behaviour by their supporters, that sanction did not apply for England's visit as the World Cup qualifier was a FIFA game and UEFA did not ask for the punishment to be transferred.

FIFA said it imposed the sanctions 'after analysing and taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, specifically the seriousness of the incidents (racist words and actions, throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks, blocked stairways)'.

In the incident, which saw the England players being booed as they took the knee before the match, Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were both targeted as the English team were pelted with objects in the second half, and a flare was thrown on to the pitch by the home fans at Puskas Arena.

Raheem was pelted with paper cups and bottles when he opened the scoring for England before a flare was thrown on to the pitch after Harry Maguire put the English side 3-0 ahead.

Football manager, Gareth Southgate, also had ice thrown at him by fans during his post-match interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

Kick It Out's head of development, Troy Townsend, tweeted: "What does 'zero tolerance approach' even mean? Words that read good in print but we'll never actually adhere to them.

"Anyway, we [in England] have our own problems and don't even go this far with punishments, so best leave alone." – Agencies, September 22, 2021

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