An outrageous decision by UEFA: three closed-door matches for the Hungarian national team
Closed doors – the whole world envied the atmosphere of the Puskás Aréna but this isn't good either because UEFA has hit it hard! Let there be order, this is the message. However, those who were in Bucharest in 2014 experienced first hand the hatred that greeted Hungarians when they were constantly insulted, thrown at by stones, chairs and everything else. They were surprised that the tough-handed UEFA slapped the Romanians with a fine only – they certainly don't understand this. Lucas Digne said he hadn't heard any racial slur in Budapest, so either the French left-back is deaf or the stadium wasn't reverberating from boos. Interestingly, the European federation hasn't even opened an investigation into the provocateur who stormed during the Hungarian national anthem prior to the German-Hungarian group match in Munich... Or we could mention the German national anthem booed by the English. Will they close Wembley too? Well, not this time. The fans have to learn to behave, we accept that - but UEFA officials also deserve criticism. Their excessive, disproportionate decision against the real football atmosphere is unacceptable. ZSOLT SOMOGYI |
According to the announcement on the organization's website, the Hungarian fans behaved discriminatorily in the Puskás Aréna in Budapest during the Portuguese and French clashes, and in Munich against the Germans at the Allianz Arena during the European Championship group stages. So, the penalty is that there will be no spectators at the next two UEFA matches of the national team. UEFA has suspended the third match for a probationary period of two years.
The organization also fined the Hungarian federation €100,000, and banners labeled “#EqualGame” must be displayed in these clashes.
UEFA announced on June 20 that it was investigating discriminatory gestures again following the investigation into the Hungarian-Portuguese clash in connection with the Hungary-France European Championship group match. When the ball was in Kylian Mbappé's or Karim Benzema's possession, many Hungarian fans reacted with boos and racist slurs.
Five days later, disciplinary actions were taken in connection with the Germany-Hungary match, because, according to German media reports, some Hungarian fans sang homophobic songs in the group match that ended with a 2–2 draw.
The Hungarians will host the European Championship finalist England on September 2 and the Andorran national team six days later. However, since these are World Cup qualifiers, and they fall under FIFA's authority (even if UEFA helps conduct them), the sanction won't come into force then. German and French news agencies citing UEFA confirmed this which means that the penalty applies to the Nations League's next season.
This means that Hungary will welcome England in front of a full house in September.
To make sure there's no misunderstanding, our portal has contacted the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ). They informed us that they will tell us the facts they know on Saturday unless they receive UEFA's detailed reasoning in the near future.
The Hungarian national team is in the A-League with the top 16 teams in the Nations League 2022-2023 season.
Translated by Vanda Orosz.
