England faced Hungary in a World Cup qualifier match at the Puskas Arena and it was an ugly scene after Raheem Sterling, a black England footballer scored. Hungary fans launched drinks, bottles, and any object they could lay their hands on at Raheem Sterling. Hitting him on his head and on his chest.
Raheem Sterling was injured but he carried on with the game, the incident happened again when another black player Jude Bellingham was warming up to come into the game as a substitute. Hungary fans booed him and changed racial slurs at him.
Southgate described the incidents as “unacceptable.”. “We weren’t conscious of it on the side. I don’t know if the players on the pitch were. But everyone knows what we’ve spoken about for two or three years. They know what we stand for as a team and we have to hope we can continue to eradicate racism not only in football but from life in general. Southgate added.
“[Bellingham] shouldn’t have to suffer that,” Southgate added.
“It’s fantastic from him that he’s shown that maturity and I know our security guys have spoken to him since the game to get his account of that. We don’t want to see it. Everyone knows it’s not acceptable. He’s shown great maturity in how he’s dealt with it”.
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.
England captain Harry Maguire also took to Twitter to condemn what had happened.
“Since last night’s match I’ve spoken to my team mates and seen some of the footage. Any discrimination is totally unacceptable and the authorities must look into it,” he said.
“Racism has no place in our game or society.”
Hungary fans are known to misbehave during football games. Following the EURO 2020, Hungary was ordered to play three games without fans because Hungary fans engaged in discriminatory behavior.
FIFA issued a statement saying 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 Federation (MLSZ) also said any fans identified would face legal actions, however, the Hungarian FA did not address the racism allegation and did not condemn the fans for their racist behaviors.
England manager Gareth Southgate had ice thrown at him during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, he 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 statements. We will deal with it in the right channels”.
Hungary v England World Cup qualifier match highlights is below, England won 4 – 0.
