Hungary’s national team must play their next World Cup qualifying home match in front of empty stands due to racist incidents and massive misconduct by their fans in the match against England.
The penalty of one home match without fans was officially announced by the world governing body FIFA this Tuesday. In addition, the Hungarian association is threatened with another ghost match if similar incidents occur within the next two years. The disciplinary committee also imposed a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (approx. 183,000 euros) on the Hungarian association.
Background: This fine was imposed in particular for the racist behaviour of supporters in the 4-0 defeat by England in the qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in Budapest on 2 September 2021. In the match, spectators had racially insulted English players as well as throwing objects, firing fireworks and blocking stairs.
“Abhorrent behaviour in football “
FIFA explained in detail: “After examining and considering all the circumstances of the case, in particular the seriousness of the incidents in question (racist remarks and actions, throwing of objects, firing of fireworks, blocking of stairs), the committee ordered MLSZ (Magyar Labdarugo Szövetseg; ed. ed.) must play its next two home matches in FIFA competitions in camera, with the second match suspension suspended for two years.”
“FIFA firmly rejects all forms of racism, violence, discrimination and abuse and in no way tolerates such abhorrent behaviour in football,” the official statement from the world governing body further said.
In the next match of the World Cup Qualifying Group I, Hungary will play Albania on 9 October at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
For the Hungarian association MLSZ, it is already the second penalty within a few months after UEFA cracked down on discrimination at the EURO. The federation had fined Hungary three matches and 100,000 euros