Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings after crowd trouble at England-hungary clash

football governing body FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings in relation to the disturbances which marred England's World Cup qualifier against Hungary on Tuesday night, as well as the violent scenes at the Albania versus Poland match in the same group.

Hungary supporters clashed with police at Wembley after officers entered the stand to arrest an individual for a racially aggravated public order offence in relation to comments directed at a steward.

The Metropolitan Police described what happened during the Group I match as “minor disorder”.

The Albania versus Poland game, in the Arena Kombëtare in the Albanian capital of Tirana, was temporarily suspended.

Bottles were thrown on to the pitch after striker Karol Swiderski scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game for Poland in the 77th minute.

In a statement yesterday, FIFA said: “Following an analysis of the match reports, FIFA has opened disciplinary proworld ceedings in relation to yesterday’s England v Hungary and Albania v Poland FIFA World Cup qualifier matches.

“Once again, FIFA strongly condemns the incidents at both matches and would like to state that its position remains firm and resolute in rejecting any form of violence, as well as any form of discrimination or abuse.

“FIFA has a very clear zerotolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviour in football.”

Hungary were ordered to play two matches behind closed doors, one suspended for two years, over the racist behaviour of their fans during the qualifier against England in the Puskás Aréna in Budapest last month.

Forward Raheem Sterling and midfielder Jude Bellingham were targeted with monkey chants during the match on September 2, which England won 4-0.

In July, European football’s governing body UEFA imposed a two-match stadium ban on the Hungarian federation following an investigation into the behaviour of their supporters during Euro 2020 matches in Budapest and Munich.