Hungary to Play 3 Matches Without Fans After Racist, Homophobic Chants at Euro 2020
Jul 9, 2021
A photograph taken on July 1, 2021 shows the Puskas Arena stadium, one of the main venue for Euro 2020, illuminated in blue, as Hungary holds the presidency of the Visegrad Four for a one-year term starting from today. - In honour of this event, several other prominent Hungarian public buildings are enlighten in blue which is the official colour of the presidency and the V4. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)
The Hungary national team will have to play three UEFA-sanctioned matches in an empty stadium due to racist chants and homophobic banners displayed by supporters at Euro 2020, according to Sky Sports.
The Hungarian Football Federation also received a fine of €100,000.
The punishment will apply to Hungary's next two matches, though it won't apply to any World Cup qualifiers since those are overseen by FIFA. The Magyars are scheduled to host England (Sept. 2) and Andorra (Sept. 8) on home soil in a pair of qualifiers.
The third stadium ban is suspended for two years and pending behavior from fans at future fixtures.
Hungary played its first two matches of Euro 2020 at Puskas Arena in Budapest.
The homophobic banners were displayed as the team lost 3-0 to Portugal on June 15. UEFA said it was also looking into monkey chants that were performed by home supporters as Hungary drew 1-1 with France on June 19.
Hungary closed out the group stage at Munich's Allianz Arena.
To draw attention to an anti-gay law that made its way through Hungarian parliament, the Munich city council proposed lighting the Allianz Arena's exterior in the colors of the rainbow. UEFA denied the request, a decision that Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter called "shameful."
Hungary isn't the only national team that was recently punished for anti-gay behavior by live supporters. FIFA issued a two-match stadium ban to Mexico that will apply to World Cup qualifying.
UEFA Investigating 'Potential Discriminatory Incidents' in Budapest amid Euro 2020
Jun 20, 2021
Players of Hungary applaud their fans after the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Hungary and Portugal at the Ferenc Puskas stadium in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Portugal won 3-0. (AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh, Pool)
UEFA is in the process of investigating "potential discriminatory incidents" that took place over the weekend during Hungary's Euro 2020 matches.
According to the European football governing body, there were banners stating "Anti-LMBTQ"—the Hungarian abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer—at matches against Portugal and France.
The incident comes in the wake of a controversial parliament ruling last week in Hungary. New legislation "bans the dissemination of content in schools deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change," according to Reuters.
Per Reuters, a statement from UEFA said "an ethics and disciplinary inspector" will manage the investigation.
Budapest's Puskas Stadium was the only stadium to host a full capacity crowd during the Euros.
In the interim, Germany—the team that will host Hungary in the final stage of group play Wednesday—has joined those publicly opposing the new legislation.
The mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, said Sunday he plans to write to UEFA and request that Germany's stadium be lit with rainbow colors during the game in "an important sign of tolerance and equality." Munich's city council already made a similar request.
"It is important for the state capital Munich to set a visible sign of solidarity with the LGBTI community in Hungary, which is suffering from the current stricter homophobic and transphobic legislation of the Hungarian government," the council wrote.
