Leagues

Products You May Like

FIFA are investigating racial abuse aimed at England players during their 4-0 World Cup Qualifier win over Hungary at the Puskas Arena on Thursday.

England players were booed when they took a knee before the match in a protest against racism while Raheem Sterling was pelted with cups and bottles when he scored.

A flare was thrown onto the pitch when England went 3-0 ahead and Jude Bellingham also reportedly suffered abuse.

Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on FIFA to take action over the “disgraceful” racist abuse.

“It is completely unacceptable that England players were racially abused in Hungary last night,” Johnson said on Twitter.

He urged FIFA to take “strong action against those responsible to ensure that this kind of disgraceful behaviour is eradicated from the game for good.”

UEFA had previously ordered Hungary to play three games behind closed doors after fans’ discriminatory behaviour during Euro 2020.

FIFA said in a statement that it “strongly rejects any form of racism and violence.

“FIFA will take adequate actions as soon as it receives match reports concerning yesterday’s Hungary-England game.”

The Hungarian Football Association (MLSZ) were not immediately avaliable for comment.

England manager Gareth Southgate, who had ice thrown at him during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, said he hoped something was done.

“I’ve heard reports of racism, which I hadn’t heard during the game,” he said.

“Everyone knows what we stand for as a team, and that’s completely unacceptable. It has been reported. Our head of security has spoken to the players and taken their statement. We will deal with it in the right channels.

“The world is modernising and although some people are stuck in their ways of thinking and their prejudices, they’re going to be the dinosaurs in the end because the world is changing.”

Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto posted on Facebook a video of England fans booing the Italian national anthem at the Euro 2020 final in July.

He wrote: “England players are complaining about last night’s ‘hostile atmosphere in Budapest.’ The footage below was recorded in Wembley before the European Championship final. You can barely hear the Italian anthem over the whistling England supporters. Did they make similar comments back then???”

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

Southgate opted to quit England before Euros final
Is Robert Lewandowski’s time at Barcelona coming to an end?
LaLiga strugglers Valencia sack head coach Baraja
Barça boost as members ratify historic Nike deal
Arsenal ‘worried’ as Saka suffers injury – Arteta

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *