What has been said?
A UEFA statement on Sunday read: “In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, an UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding potential discriminatory incidents which occurred in the Puskas Arena, Budapest, during the 2020 European Championship group stage matches between the national teams of Hungary and Portugal on 15 June 2021 and between the national teams of Hungary and France played on 19 June 2021.”
Why is there a problem in Hungary?
There are issues in the nation generally when it comes to discrimination.
Last week, the national parliament passed legislation by 157-1 that has been commonly interpreted as a law against what the government of right wing leader Victor Orban describes as “LGBT propaganda”. The law bans the promotion or portrayal of homosexuality or gender reassignment.
Earlier this month, Hungary’s home match against the Republic of Ireland was marred when home supporters booed the Irish players who had taken the knee in protest against racist and discrimination.
What have Hungary said?
Speaking about the incident at the France game, the Hungarian FA told The Athletic: “The Hungarian Football Federation and the Hungarian National Team gives maximum respect to everyone, be they a teammate, an opponent, a fan or anyone else. Football could become the most popular sport in the world precisely because it belongs to everyone.
“Our federation has been fighting all forms of hatred and discrimination for years as part of its ‘Hate is not OK’ campaign. The flag in question was removed from the stadium as soon as it was noticed.”
(Photo: Laszlo Balogh – Pool/Getty Images)
