YET ANOTHER SHAME GAME
Hungary fans fight with police after more racial abuse
HUNGARY fans were again at the centre of a racist and violent storm as police were attacked on a shameful night at Wembley.
The clashes marred a fairly dull game on the park that saw England fall behind to a Roland Sallai penalty with John Stones levelling before half-time.
But there will be urgent and heated talks at FIFA this morning after the Hungarian support again racially abused players and a stadium steward.
They had already copped a home fan-ban for their abuse of Three Lions players in the first clash between the sides last month, with the governing body also fining them £160,0000.
Hungary were warned at the time that a one-match ban on home fans would be doubled if another incident occurred within two years.
It has taken their vile element less than four weeks, with around 1000 of their fans granted access to Wembley.
The majority jeered as the England players took the knee before kick-off in their nowfamiliar stance against racism.
They were also making gestures towards home supporters on the other side of the division with the police moving in as clashes between the authorities and a group of supporters marred the opening stages of the match.
A MET Police statement said: “Officers entered the stand to arrest a spectator for a racially aggravated public order offence in relation to comments directed towards a steward. As officers made the arrest, minor disorder broke out.”
England boss Gareth Southgate said: “It’s a disappointing performance but full credit to Hungary, they caused us a tactical problem and we were not fluid. We did not play at the level we need to play.
“It’s difficult to pin-point and we will look at the balance of the team. We made simple mistakes with the ball.
“We have to go away and reflect and should not judge things on one game and that experiment. From the start, we were not sharp, gave the ball away, were over-running things.
“For the first time in a long time we have to hold our hands up today.
“I don’t think we should look at individuals, collectively we did not play at the level we need to.”
Hungary were awarded a 12th-minute penalty after Luke Shaw was adjudged to have fouled Loic Nego while clearing.
A VAR check confirmed the spot-kick with Sallai making no mistake from 12 yards.
England responded well, winning a number of free-kicks and they equalised from one such set-piece, Phil Foden swinging the ball into the box after Jack Grealish had been fouled by Attila Szalai – with Stones on hand to turn home from close range.
Sterling should have put England ahead before the interval, seeing a header saved by Peter Gulacsi before turning the rebound meekly behind moments before the break.
There would be minimal opportunities for England to win the game in the second half as Southgate opted to replace Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane without managing to find a way past Gulacsi.
The draw leaves England on the cusp of qualifying with Albania and San Marino up next.