FIFA investigates racist abuse against English players in Hungary

[ad_1]

Raheem Sterling of England runs with the ball during the 2022 World Cup Group I qualifying match between Hungary and England at Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest, Hungary on Thursday September 2, 2021 (AP Photo / Laszlo Balogh) Laszlo Balogh AP ZURICH

After England players were racially abused in Hungary, FIFA said on Friday it would take appropriate action once it investigated the incidents.

The FIFA statement did not directly condemn Hungarian fans for the abuse, which included monkey chants, during Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier at Puskas Arena in Budapest. England won 4-0.

FIFA strongly rejects all forms of racism and violence and has a very clear zero tolerance position for such behavior in football, the world’s football governing body has said. FIFA will take appropriate action as soon as it receives the match reports for yesterday’s Hungary-England game. “

Hungary had recently been ordered to play two matches without supporters, but the UEFA sanction did not take effect for England’s visit as the match was under FIFA jurisdiction.

The racist abuse has been condemned by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been criticized for his own offensive racist comments in the past.

It is completely unacceptable that English players were racially abused in Hungary last night, Johnson said on Twitter. I urge (FIFA) to take strong action against those responsible to ensure that this kind of shameful behavior is permanently eradicated from the game. “

England players were taunted for taking a knee, bombarded with plastic cups after goals, and then targeted with alleged racist chants.

Field reporters from national broadcasters ITV and Sky Sports said they saw and heard from among the Hungarian fans behind one of the monkey chants goals against Raheem Sterling and unused replacement Jude Bellingham, who are black. Sky Sports showed video footage of a spectator giving the abuse.

The match took place in front of a crowd of 60,000 fans, mostly Hungarians, around two months after UEFA ordered the team to play three matches without supporters, one of which was suspended for a period. two-year probationary as punishment for what has been described as discriminatory behavior on the part of his supporters in his three Euro 2020 group matches.

These closed-door matches must however be in UEFA competition. The World Cup qualifiers are organized by FIFA.

[ad_2]