Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

FIFA punishes Hungarian Football Federation following racist behaviour of 'numerous' fans

Declan Rice of England drinks from a cup that was thrown at Raheem Sterling after scoring their first goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Hungary and England at Stadium Puskas Ferenc on Sept. 2 in Budapest, Hungary. (Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images via CNN) Declan Rice of England drinks from a cup that was thrown at Raheem Sterling after scoring their first goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Hungary and England at Stadium Puskas Ferenc on Sept. 2 in Budapest, Hungary. (Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images via CNN)
Share

The Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) will play its next FIFA-sanctioned home match without supporters and has been handed a "substantial fine" by football's world governing body for "numerous" fans' racist behaviour during a recent World Cup qualifier against England.

"After analysing and taking into consideration ... the seriousness of the incidents (racist words and actions, throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks, blocked stairways), the Committee decided that the MLSZ would play its next two home matches in FIFA competitions without spectators, the second match being suspended for a probationary period of two years," said FIFA in a statement.

ITV reporter Gabriel Clarke, who was at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, says he heard monkey chants directed at Raheem Sterling, as well as at substitute Jude Bellingham as he was preparing to come on, during England's 4-0 victory earlier in September.

England's players were also loudly booed as they took a knee before kick off, an ongoing gesture to protest racism.

CNN has reached out to the MLSZ, which was fined $216,000 by FIFA.

Previously, Hungary had been ordered by UEFA, European football's governing body, to play its next three home games behind closed doors after fans' discriminatory behavior at Euro 2020, but this ban wasn't yet implemented for the England game as World Cup qualifiers fall under FIFA's jurisdiction.

England's players also had cups and bottles thrown at them during each of the goal celebrations -- with Declan Rice and Jack Grealish responding by pretending to drink out of them -- while a flare was thrown onto the pitch as the team celebrated Harry Maguire's goal.

After the game, England forward Marcus Rashford, who is currently out following shoulder surgery, took to social media in support of his teammates.

"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. FIFA takes a clear zero tolerance stance against such abhorrent behavior in football," added the world governing body's statement.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

WATCH LIVE

WATCH LIVE Helene strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane as it nears Florida's Gulf Coast

Helene strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane hours ahead of its expected landfall on Florida's northwest coast Thursday night, and forecasters warned that the enormous storm could create a 'nightmare' surge in coastal areas and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern U.S.

Canadian singer K'naan has been charged with sexual assault after being arrested by police in Quebec City.

An Air Canada flight headed to Toronto from Frankfurt diverted to Edinburgh due to an emergency Thursday, the airline says.

Scammers are increasingly using emails to extort money from victims by threatening to reveal compromising photos, videos and personal information to their friends and family members, according to a new warning from Mounties in Metro Vancouver.

A pizza chain in Edmonton claims to have the world's largest deliverable pizza.

Local Spotlight

A pizza chain in Edmonton claims to have the world's largest deliverable pizza.

Sarah McLachlan is returning to her hometown of Halifax in November.

Wayne MacKay is still playing basketball twice at Mount Allison University at 87 years old.

A man from a small rural Alberta town is making music that makes people laugh.

An Indigenous artist has a buyer-beware warning ahead of Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Police are looking to the public for help after thieves broke into a Lethbridge ice creamery, stealing from the store.

An ordinary day on the job delivering mail in East Elmwood quickly turned dramatic for Canada Post letter carrier Jared Plourde. A woman on his route was calling out in distress.

Fire has destroyed a barn and 17,000 plants at a family-owned business in Lower Coverdale, N.B.

Before influencers on social media, Canada’s Jeanne Beker was bringing the world of high fashion down to earth and as Calgary’s Glenbow Museum gets a major make-over, it will include a new exhibition showcasing the pop culture icon.

Stay Connected