Hungary foreign minister Peter Szijjarto compares “hostile” England fans to Hungary’s

Hungary’s foreign minister has compared England fans’ booing of the Italian national anthem at Euro 2020 to the abuse received by England players by Hungary supporters at the Puskas Arena last night.

England defeated Hungary 4-0 in Budapest last night to record their fourth win of World Cup qualifying.

However, the win was overshadowed by reports of racist abuse directed at Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham by Hungarian fans.

England players were also targeted with cups and bottles during goal celebrations, and a flare was thrown onto the pitch.

England manager Gareth Southgate called the abuse “completely unacceptable“, whilst Kick It Out CEO Tony Burnett questioned why FIFA didn’t impose sanctions on Hungary.

The Hungary Football Federation was charged with discriminatory behaviour of its supporters by UEFA earlier this year, and handed a punishment of three games (one suspended) behind-closed-doors. However, World Cup qualifiers are organised by FIFA – who elected not to impose any sanctions last night.

Speaking on ITV Sport last night, former England striker Ian Wright said: “You can’t believe that two organisations can’t get together and give them a three-match ban.

“The sad thing is that black players will know, especially when there’s a full stadium, that they are going to get racially abused because they’re banned as it is.

“I think it’s embarrassing. I don’t know what to say about UEFA and FIFA. They don’t care enough. They don’t care enough to do anything about it.”

Hungarian foreign minister compares England fans to Hungary’s

Today, Hungarian foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, has compared England fans’ booing of the Italian anthem at Euro 2020 to the abuse given to the English players by Hungary supporters.

Above a Facebook video, he said: “England players are complaining about last night’s ‘hostile atmosphere in Budapest’.

“The footage below was recorded in Wembley before the European Championship final. You can barely hear the Italian anthem over the whistling England supporters.

“Did they make similar comments back then.”

Hungary’s football federation, the MLSZ, said in a statement that they are in “the process of [identifying]” fans who threw missiles and have “already filed or will file police reports against them” – but made no reference to the racist abuse suffered by Sterling and Bellingham.

Featured Image Credit: Getty