FANS COULD WRECK CUP BID
UEFA launch investigation after Euros final trouble to raise fears over 2030 hopes
ENGLAND fans will come under the spotlight again with fears growing about the Football Association’s bid to host the 2030World Cup.
Thousands of supporters will be able to travel to England’s World Cup qualifiers in Hungary on September 2 and in Poland six days later with the FA now under scrutiny.
UEFA launched a full-scale investigation into the shocking disturbances at Wembley for the Euros final against Italy on Sunday which could result in the FA losing support to jointly stage the World Cup in the UK and Ireland.
Ticketless thugs stormed the stadium as police and stewards struggled to cope on what was a chance for the FA to show UEFA they could stage a major event peacefully and safely.
Now up to 5,000 England fans could travel to Budapest, with the Hungarian FA expecting to be able to host the game with no capacity restrictions,
while supporters can also travel to Poland.
But UEFA will be watching developments closely amid fears European football’s governing body will put their support behind a joint bid from Spain and Portugal.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has insisted only one European bid should be put forward. An ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed by UEFA to investigate events which occurred inside and around the stadium before, during and after the game.
Witnesses saw hundreds storm into the stadium, more than 200,000 fans congregated outside Wembley and there were ugly scenes when fans with tickets – including players’ family members – got inside to find their seats were already taken.
UEFA have also brought four charges against the FA relating to a pitch invasion by a supporter, the throwing of objects by fans, the lighting of fireworks and the booing of the Italian national anthem.
The FA have launched their own investigation and have stressed the seven other games at Wembley went ahead peacefully. But the lack of police outside will not reflect well on the English authorities.
Meanwhile, the FA will ask Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford if they want to pursue criminal action against their online abusers.
The England trio were targeted with racist abuse after missing their penalties in the shoot-out at Wembley and, if the authorities can track down the accounts, they are ready to take action.