Because of racist abuses and massive misconduct by their fans in the game against England, Hungary's national football team has to play the next home game of the World Cup qualifying in front of empty stands.
As the world association FIFA announced on Tuesday, the Hungarian association is threatened with another ghost game if similar incidents occur within the next two years.
At the same time, the disciplinary commission imposed a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (a good 183,000 euros) on the Hungarian Football Association.
In particular, the racist behavior of the supporters in the 4-0 draw against England in the qualifying game for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on September 2 in Budapest was punished. In the game, viewers racially insulted English players, threw objects, fired fireworks and blocked stairs. “FIFA firmly rejects any form of racism, violence, discrimination and abuse and does not tolerate such horrific behavior in football in any way, it said.
"After examining and considering all the circumstances of the case, in particular the seriousness of the incidents in question (racist remarks and actions, throwing objects, firing fireworks, blocking stairs), the commission ordered the MLSZ to play the next two home games at FIFA- Competitions have to be held closed to the public, with the second match suspension suspended for a period of two years, ”said FIFA.
UEFA reacted in a similar way after the European Championship, when Hungarian fans made a negative impression in the game against Germany in Munich, among others. The association had hit Hungary with three ghost games and a fine of 100,000 euros. In the next game of the World Cup qualifying group I, Hungary will play against Albania on October 9th in the Puskas Arena in Budapest.