Hungary v England: Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings after racist abuse aimed at players

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Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings after racist abuse was aimed at England players during Thursday's 4-0 win over Hungary in a World Cup qualifier in Budapest.

Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were both targeted.

England players were also pelted with objects in the second half and a flare was thrown on the pitch by the home fans at Puskas Arena.

England condemned the abuse as "completely unacceptable".

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham, 18, tweeted on Friday: "Part of the game and always will be until proper punishments are put in place by those with the power. We can't let hate win, keep smiling."

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"It is a disgrace how it keeps on happening," said Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.

"When these things happen, consequences need to take place and the FA will be speaking to Fifa about it and hopefully it keeps getting put to them and they hand out bans.

"But it needs to stop and we need to get this out of football."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Fifa "to take strong action against those responsible to ensure that this kind of disgraceful behaviour is eradicated from the game for good".

Football Daily podcast: Racist chants mar England win

On Friday afternoon, football's world governing body Fifa said disciplinary proceedings had been opened "following analysis of the match reports".

It added: "Once again, Fifa would like to state that our position remains firm and resolute in rejecting any form of racism and violence as well as any other form of discrimination or abuse.

"We have a very clear zero tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviours in football."

I don’t think our players can do any more - Southgate

Despite Uefa ordering Hungary to play three home games behind closed doors after their supporters' discriminatory behaviour, fans were allowed in on Thursday as the game came under Fifa's jurisdiction.

The Uefa ban relates to racism and other discriminatory conduct which took place during Euro 2020 in June.

While Uefa manage World Cup qualifiers involving European teams, Fifa is able to take action because it is their competition.

"Fifa strongly rejects any form of racism and violence and has a very clear zero tolerance stance for such behaviour in football," the game's global governing body said.

Fifa and Uefa criticised for allowing fans to attend

Anti-discrimination bodies Kick It Out, Show Racism the Red Card and Fare criticised Fifa and Uefa for their handling of Hungary's existing ban.

"The question for us is why Fifa didn't act to prevent this, and why the global football system didn't work together to prevent this," Kick It Out chief executive Tony Burnett said.

"All I'm hearing again thus far is excuses about who should file what paperwork and who should file permission for X, Y and Z."

Fare executive director Piara Powar said allowing fans to attend in Budapest was an example of the "system falling apart" as Uefa and Fifa try to deal with racism.

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Powar also confirmed that the The Fare Network - an organisation trying to fight inequality in football - would provide authorities with a report of their own from the game, including video footage.

Ged Grebby, chief executive of Show Racism the Red Card, told BBC Radio 5 Live that England manager Gareth Southgate was right to say England should "get its own house in order" before criticising others for their behaviour, following a numerous instances of racism in the game.

Grebby also added that a "long-term education programme" should be put in place to help tackle racism in Hungarian football.

The Professional Footballers' Association said "loopholes" that meant the game was not behind closed doors must be addressed.

"Global football governing bodies need to demonstrate that these behaviours will never be tolerated in our game," the players' union said.

"We demand they issue the strongest sanctions possible, such as lifetime stadium bans."

What happened in Budapest?

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