The Guardian

Fifa punishes Hungary with one-game fan ban for racism

David Hytner

Hungary must play their next home World Cup qualifier behind closed doors and pay a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (£158,000) as punishment for the racist abuse their fans aimed at England players in Budapest.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee handed down the sanction after a section of supporters targeted Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham with monkey chants during England’s 4-0 win in a World Cup qualifier on 2 September. The penalty of a second game without spectators was suspended period of two years.

In July Hungary were ordered to play their next three Uefa home competition matches without supporters after incidents of racism and homophobia at Euro 2020, with one of those games suspended for two years. Those sanctions will apply in the Nations League next year.

Hungary’s next World Cup qualifier is at home to Albania on 9 October. Fifa said the punishment covered “racist words and actions, throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks [and] blocked stairways”. Plastic cups were hurled at England players during the match.

“Fifa’s position remains firm and resolute in rejecting any form of racism and violence as well as any other form of discrimination or abuse,” the world governing body said. “Fifa takes a clear zero tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviour.”

Tony Burnett, the chief executive of Kick It Out, said the anti-discrimination organisation welcomed the sanctions but that they did not go far enough. “The Hungarian Football Federation was already serving a Uefa ban, so we know that punishments like this do not effectively deter fans.

“For those countries that have proven unable to control fans’ appalling behaviour, excluding them from competing at major tournaments should not be off the table.”

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2021-09-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://guardian.pressreader.com/article/282510071707345

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