MX23RW : Tuesday, May 7 00:00:15| >> :120:50171:50171:

Boris Johnson urges FIFA to act over racism towards England players in Hungary

Boris Johnson urges FIFA to act over racism towards England players in Hungary
© Reuters
Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were targeted during the match in Budapest.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the condemnation of racist abuse directed towards England players in Thursday night's World Cup qualifier in Hungary and called on FIFA to act.

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham were targeted with monkey chants during the match in Budapest, which England won 4-0.

The PM tweeted from his official account: "It is completely unacceptable that England players were racially abused in Hungary last night.

"I urge FIFA to take strong action against those responsible to ensure that this kind of disgraceful behaviour is eradicated from the game for good."

FIFA, the world governing body of football with disciplinary jurisdiction over the qualification tournaments across the globe for the 2022 finals in Qatar, will be expected to open disciplinary proceedings against the Hungarian federation.

Its regulations provide for reoffenders to be deducted points, ordered to play behind closed doors and even expelled from competitions.

Hungary were given a two-match stadium ban by European football's governing body UEFA as recently as July after allegations of racist chanting and homophobic banners being displayed during Euro 2020 matches against France and Portugal.

However, the ban did not come into effect for the World Cup qualifier against England because it is a FIFA competition.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland also condemned the "deeply depressing" racism targeted at England players.

Cups are thrown at Sterling  after his goal against Hungary in Budapest
Cups were thrown at Sterling after his goal against Hungary in Budapest (Attila Trenka/PA)

He told Sky News: "The message has to go out loud and clear from leaders in society, from all of us who have responsibility, that these young men are working, they are exemplars to the community, they inspire other young people, they represent what's good in our society.

"That's why we've just got to keep getting the message out there that racism has no space in sport, no place in our society and we should be celebrating these people not denigrating them."

England's players were also booed before kick-off after they took the knee as a gesture against racism.

ID:462088:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4944:

Click here for more stories about Boris Johnson

Click here for more stories about England

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Hungary in a World Cup qualifier on September 2, 2021
Read Next:
FA urges FIFA to investigate after England players abused in Hungary
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!