Hungary fans scuffle with police at Wembley at the start of the England match | 2022 World Cup Qualifiers

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Hungary fans were caught up in more gruesome scenes as they clashed with police officers at the start of their team’s World Cup qualifier against England on Tuesday night.

FIFA is likely to launch an investigation after a problem occurred in the visiting side during the first 10 minutes and the incident would raise more questions about the behavior of Hungary fans.

The Metropolitan Police said the problem started when its officers entered the far end to arrest a fan suspected of racially abusing a host.

Traveling fans came under scrutiny after racist abuse targeted England players in Budapest last month, and more sanctions are expected from FIFA after the latest wave of chaos.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee has moved after Judd Bellingham and Raheem Sterling were targeted with monkey chants when England won 4-0 at the start of September. Hungary was fined 158,000 pounds and had to play Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at home to Albania behind closed doors. The penalty for the second match stood without spectators for two years.

That penalty came after Hungary ordered its next three matches in the UEFA competition to be played at home behind closed doors after incidents of racism and homophobia at Euro 2020, with one of those matches suspended for two years.

Hungary fans hold a banner against their knees during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers at Wembley. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

But judging by the behavior of Hungary’s supporters at Wembley, the effect of these sanctions appears to be minimal. There was a hint of what would happen when they booed when both teams took the knee before kick-off – there was also a banner expressing opposition to the anti-racism gesture – and it wasn’t long before the fight broke out.

The Metropolitan Police Events Twitter account said: “Shortly after tonight’s match at Wembley began, officers entered the podium to arrest a spectator for a public order racist offense following comments made towards a host. When the officers made the arrest, minor disturbances erupted which included Other spectators. Order was quickly restored and no further incidents occurred at this point.”

Soon, police officers got involved in clashes with Hungary’s black-shirted supporters. The police appeared to have used batons in an attempt to restore order, but they were confused and forced back into the lobby.

The police presence did not seem to intimidate Hungary’s supporters. Pockets of them also moved toward sections of the house after John Stones scored the equalizer for England shortly before the break. However, they were unable to cross the safety net.

The problems will also raise questions about security measures at Wembley. UEFA has launched an investigation into the turmoil that occurred when England lost to Italy in the European Championship final. Ticketless fans managed to get in by storming the gates, and the chance remains that UEFA will order England to play at least one home game behind closed doors.

Hungary’s manager, Marco Rossi, refused to talk about the behavior of his team’s fans. “I don’t want to comment on this situation,” he said. “This is not my job. Everything I can say can be interpreted differently.”

The Football Association said: “We are aware of an incident in the remote section during tonight’s FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier match at Wembley Stadium. We will investigate and report the incident to FIFA.”

Tyrone Mings said England’s players were not bothered by the Hungarian fans’ boos at the knee. “We have been criticized for taking the knee and we have collectively stood together with enthusiasm,” said the England defender. “That made us as a team. It doesn’t change when people hold banners or disagree.”

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