Violence broke out between Hungary football fans and the police at last Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley after the police entered the ground to arrest a Hungary fan for allegedly racially abusing a steward.
Five other Hungary fans were arrested, according to the Metropolitan Police, two charged with assaulting a police officer and three on charges of affray, drunken disorderly behaviour, and voyeurism.
After the incident, the Metropolitan Police said: “Minor disorder broke out involving other spectators. Order was quickly restored and there have been no further incidents at this stage”.
However, the Evening Standard reported that the police used their “batons to try and control the crowd but were forced to retreat to the concourse”.
The confrontation took place after more incidents of racist abuse from the away section; many Hungary fans booed and unveiled an anti-kneeling banner when the England team took the knee before the match.
FIFA has issued punishments for homophobic or racist behaviour from Hungary fans at four of the past six games they have attended. This includes a two-match stadium ban and a fine of 200,000 Swiss Francs (£160,000) on the Hungarian FA after fans racially abused two English players (Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling) at the reverse fixture in Budapest in September.
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings for Tuesday’s incident, investigating The Hungarian FA for the actions of the away fans and the English FA as organisers of the game.
