BUDAPEST – Uefa is not expected to take any action against the Hungarian Football Association after tens of thousands of children booed England’s players when they took a knee before the Nations League defeat.
The match was supposed to be played behind closed doors as punishment for supporter racism at Euro 2020 last summer, but a Uefa loophole allows member associations to give free tickets to under 14s.
England are utilising this loophole when they face Italy on Saturday during their own stadium ban, issued for the chaos at Wembley during the European Championship final, but expect only 2,000-3,000 in attendance. Hungary, however, had more than 35,000 in attendance at the Pukas Arena — every 10 children accompanied by an adult — who proceeded to boo England’s anti-racism gesture.
“When a closed door sanction has been issued it should be fully applied,” European anti-discrimination group Fare said after the game. “This is not the first time in which children have shown the same behaviour patterns as adults in a stadium. We have seen incidents of racism perpetrated in European games by children.”
More from Football
Hungary were also fined £158,416 and ordered to play behind-closed-doors by Fifa after Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling were subjected to racist abuse when England visited the Puskas Area last September for a World Cup qualifier.
Anti-racism group Show Racism The Red Card have called for a new investigation into the events on Saturday.
“Show Racism the Red Card was disappointed to hear booing by Hungary supporters to the taking of the knee by England players,” the group’s chief executive Ged Grebby said.
“Given the racism suffered by England’s black players last time, you would have hoped the Hungary fans would have applauded this anti-racist stance.”
England manager Gareth Southgate had expressed his “surprise” that Hungary were able to welcome tens of thousands of young fans into the stadium despite the sanctions. The atmosphere felt like a normal game and supporters watched Hungary beat England for the first time in 60 years. Nonetheless, it is not thought that Uefa will take any action against booing.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/UHr5zkb
Post a Comment