Hungarian FA handed fine and stadium ban for racist abuse of England players

They were also punished for racist and homophobic incidents at Euro 2020

Hungary have been ordered to play their next home World Cup qualifier behind closed doors and pay a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs [£158,000] following the racist abuse aimed at England players by their fans earlier this month. The punishment by FIFA comes after a section of Hungary's home supporters targeted Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling with monkey chants, as well as throwing plastic cups at England players, during the Three Lions' 4-0 World Cup qualifier win in Budapest on September 2. As well as this, FIFA's disciplinary committee have also imposed a suspended penalty of a second game without fans in attendance for a probationary period of two years. https://twitter.com/sistoney67/status/1440319384732389389

It isn't the first time that Hungary have been punished for racists incidents, as they were recently ordered to play their next three Uefa home competition matches - with one of those games suspended for two years - without fans following racist and homophobic incidents at Euro 2020.

FIFA have stated that the punishment handed to the Hungarian Football Federation relates to “racist words and actions, throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks [and] blocked stairways”.

“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,” stated FIFA. “Fifa takes a clear zero tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviour in football.”

Speaking on the punishment, Kick It Out’s head of development Troy Townsend tweeted: “What does zero tolerance approach even mean? Words that read good in print but we’ll never actually adhere to them. Anyway, we have our own problems and don’t even go this far with punishments, so best leave alone.” Hungary’s next World Cup qualifier is at home against Albania on October 9. Related links: 

• England players booed for taking the knee by Hungary supporters
• Cheshire man sentenced for racist abuse of England players after Euro 2020
• Vast majority of racist Euros final tweets came from UK, analysis reveals