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Hungary fans clash with police during WC qualifier


By AFP
Published : 13 Oct 2021 08:04 PM | Updated : 14 Oct 2021 10:23 AM

Hungary supporters clashed with police at Wembley as a fan was arrested for racist abuse of a steward during Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against England.

England manager Gareth Southgate branded the ugly clashes "unacceptable", while England defender Tyrone Mings called for harsher punishments for racism in football. Just moments after kick-off, trouble flared among the pocket of around 1,000 Hungarians in one corner of Wembley. Dozens of Hungary supporters charged at stewards, who were forced to retreat before police wielding batons arrived.

The fighting continued for several minutes before riot police finally restored order in the stands and the stadium concourse. The incident occurred when police moved in to arrest one Hungary fan for a racist comment to a steward. Hungary's supporters also booed when England players took the knee before kick-off and held up a banner protesting against the anti-racism gesture.

"I was aware of a disturbance. It sounds like it was not acceptable but I haven't seen the detail," Southgate said. Mings added: "Every time we speak on racial abuse the punishments that follow never seem in line with what has happened.

"I sincerely hope that if that is the case, the punishments fall in line with what happened this time."

Hungary manager Marco Rossi refused to condemn the fans, saying: "I don't want to comment about this situation.

"It is not my task. Everything I could say could be interpreted in a different way, so I prefer no comment."