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FIFA open disciplinary proceedings against Hungary after racist abuse

FIFA has opened proceedings against the Hungarian FA.  It follows the racist abuse hurled at Eng...



FIFA open disciplinary proceed...
Soccer

FIFA open disciplinary proceedings against Hungary after racist abuse

FIFA has opened proceedings against the Hungarian FA. 

It follows the racist abuse hurled at England players Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham in Thursday's World Cup qualifier in Budapest.

Sterling opened the scoring in a 4-0 win, with his celebration met by a hail of plastic cups and other missiles from the crowd at the Puskas Arena.

Both Sterling and Bellingham were subjected to monkey chants.

It was just the latest in a string of shameful incidents involving Hungarian fans in Budapest.

Each of their group matches at Euro 2020 were the subject of UEFA investigations - and later punishments - for both racist and homophobic abuse.

Hungary received a two-game stadium ban for their fans' behaviour at the European Championships, but it was not applicable for FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In their initial reaction to Thursday night's racist chants, FIFA said they will "take adequate actions as soon as it receives match reports concerning yesterday’s Hungary-England game."

A Hungarian FA [MLSZ] statement made no mention of the racist abuse, saying, “The vast majority of the sixty thousand fans visiting the Puskas Arena were sporting, encouraging the Hungarian national team, even when the team was already losing."

They added, “Fans entering the field, throwing light grenades and glasses, are being identified.

"The MLSZ has filed and will file a police report against them.

"Any fine will be passed on to the perpetrators in civil litigation, and they can expect a 2-year disqualification from sporting events at the end of the trial.”

In light of Thursday's latest volleys of vile abuse, there have been calls for stronger sanctions to be taken against the Hungarian FA.

FIFA released a statement on Friday, saying, "Following analysis of the match reports, FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings concerning the incidents last night at the game Hungary-England."

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Gareth Southgate Hungary Jude Bellingham Racism Raheem Sterling Viktor Orban World Cup Qualifiers