Police fight fans in Wembley clashes
➤ Hungary ultras go on attack after officers attempt arrest ➤ Away supporters boo England for taking knee before 1-1 draw
England’s World Cup qualifying draw with Hungary was overshadowed by fighting between visiting supporters and the police that was sparked by a report of racism.
Just over a month after England players were subjected to racist chanting in Budapest, fights broke out between Hungary fans and police when a spectator was arrested for allegedly racially abusing a Wembley steward.
There were also unconfirmed reports that as police started to film the disorder, Hungarian ultras wearing balaclavas attacked them and tried to take their camera.
The game was not even five minutes old when the violence broke out in the away end, with large groups of Hungary fans fighting police officers who were eventually forced to retreat back into the entrance to the concourse and use batons to protect themselves.
A Metropolitan Police statement, released at half-time in the game, said: “Shortly after the start of tonight’s match at Wembley, officers entered the stand to arrest a spectator for a racially-aggravated public order offence following comments made towards a steward.
“As the officers made the arrest, minor disorder broke out involving other spectators. Order was quickly restored and there have been no further incidents at this stage.”
A Football Association statement said: “We are aware of an incident in the away section during tonight’s Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium. We will be investigating and will report the incident to Fifa.”
On the trouble in the Hungarian end, England manager Gareth Southgate said: “I’m only hearing this as I’m doing the interviews. I was aware of a disturbance. It sounds like it was not acceptable, but I haven’t seen the detail.”
Hungary’s fans had booed the England players as they took the knee ahead of kick-off at Wembley, with one group holding up a banner that showed a line drawn through a picture of a player taking the knee.
The Hungary players remained
standing, some pointing to the antiracism badge on the sleeves of their shirts, while England players knelt.
England defender Tyrone Mings, who had been unaware of the fighting, said: “We’ve faced backlash and criticism for taking the knee and we have collectively stood passionately together. That has carried us as a squad. It doesn’t change when people hold banners or disagree.
“It’s very difficult to speak freely on an issue to do with the police. Every time we speak about racial abuse, it [the punishment] never seems to be quite in line with what has happened. I sincerely hope the punishment fits what happened.”
Throughout the match, the majority of Hungary fans gathered at the front of the away end, crowded into the front rows, standing in the aisles instead of sitting.
Around 700 Hungarian fans were said to be inside the away end and it is thought most of those tickets were bought by Hungary supporters inside the UK. Despite the violence and opposition to taking the knee, Hungary’s players went over to applaud and celebrate with their supporters at the full-time whistle.
Asked about the fighting and allegation of racism, Hungary manager Marco Rossi said: “I don’t want to comment on this situation because it’s not my task. Anything I say could be interpreted in a different way, so I prefer not to comment.”
The Metropolitan Police had confirmed that they were to increase their presence outside Wembley last night in a bid to combat any trouble outside the ground.
A spokesperson for the police had said: “The Met is developing a policing plan to ensure the safety of visiting fans. A number of officers will be on duty, conducting high visibility patrols around Wembley Stadium.”
But the increased police presence, together with the FA’S measures to try to protect fans and staff, evidently did not work, with police and stewards clearly being attacked.
Groups of home supporters had booed the Hungary national anthem before kick-off and chanted “you racist b ******* , you know what you are.”
The latest incidents of disorder were particularly unwelcome for Wembley and the FA after the scenes of lawlessness at the final of the European Championship in July.
Hungary were fined £158,416 and ordered to play behind closed doors by Fifa after Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling were subjected to racist chanting in Budapest last month. The two-match stadium ban followed sanctions already imposed on Hungary by Uefa for racist and homophobic incidents at Euro 2020.
At the time, a Fifa statement said: “The Fifa Disciplinary Committee has imposed a ban and a substantial fine on the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) in relation to the racist behaviour of numerous supporters during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying match between Hungary and England on September 2, 2021.”
England and the FA are waiting to find out if they will face punishment for the violence at the final of the Euros and the possibility of a stadium ban has not been ruled out.