‘PLAYERS RIGHT TO TAKE KNEE..’

Coveney backs Ireland stars after Hungary’s leader moaned

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fans may have been warned off travelling to Rome for their quarter final against Ukraine — but that doesn’t mean the Italian capital is off limits to everyone...

And it was Kim Kardashian was who was making the most of the Eternal City as she enjoyed la dolce vita by going sightseeing.

Kim (40)

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visited the spectacular Colosseum and (inset) took a late night stroll to the Trevi Fountain.

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney hailed the decision of Republic of Ireland players to take the knee to protest against racism ahead of a pre- Euros friendly last month.

The Irish team was booed by fans in Budapest after the team took a knee to protest racism ahead of kick- off in their friendly match against Hungary.

Every Irish player bent down on one knee before the game started to highlight racial injustice — as the Hungarian players stood and pointed to the ‘ respect’ logo on their sleeves.

Minister for Foreign Af fa i rs Simon Coveney said the players’ decision to take the knee was a gesture of respect and solidarity with those who have experienced racism.

He said: “I strongly support and pay tribute to the stand taken by Irish footballers and players of f other nationalities to o address racism in their r sport and in wider society. y.

“The Irish players’ ’ actions were not aimed at Hungary, nor in any way disrespectful towards Hungarian culture.

“The Embassy of Ireland in Hungary has made it clear that the Irish players taking the knee was a gesture of respect for and solidarity with those who suffer racism and discrimination.” Inresponsetoaparliamentary question, he added: “Ireland strongly condemns all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance. “Ireland is strongly committed to the promotion and protect ion of tole rance, non- discrimination, freedom of expression and freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief.”

Fans

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously slammed the Irish team for making a political point in his country cou — and said the HHt t

Hungarian fans were right to boo them.

He said: “If you are a guest g in a country, then understand its culture and don’t provoke the locals.

“We can’t interpret this gesture in any other way, looking at it from our cultural point of view it’s an incomprehensible thing, a provocation.”

BOOED: Irish players take knee and (inset) Coveney