UEFA has ordered Hungary to play three matches behind closed doors after fans were found guilty of racist and homophobic abuses at Euro 2020.
A discriminatory banner was seen in the stands during Hungary’s tournament opener against Portugal, after which monkey singing was heard in the Budapest crowd during the draw against France.
During the last group game against Germany in Munich, there were also accusations of homophobic abuse.
After investigating the events, UEFA has confirmed on its official website that Hungary will be punished with a stadium ban of three matches, one of which is suspended for the next two years.
This means that Hungary will have to play their next two competitive home games behind closed doors, and if they become guilty of additional fan rust in the next two years, they will immediately be subject to a third ban.
A protester raises the rainbow flag during the Germany-Hungary / Markus Gilliar / Getty Images game
The Hungarian FA has also been fined 100,000 euros and has been ordered to display a banner with the text ‘#EqualGame’ in these games without fans.
Homophobia became a prominent issue during the group stage, with the Football Board’s ethics being questioned after an investigation was launched into Manuel Neuer’s decision to wear a rainbow – patterned captain’s bracelet in support of Pride Month. No punishment was ever handed out.
Following that question, Germany requested to illuminate the Allianz Arena with the colors of the rainbow for their meeting with Hungary, but their proposal was rejected by UEFA, which considered it too political in nature.
To mark “Christopher Street Day”, #FCBayern will once again light the Allianz Arena in rainbow colors this summer. ? ️?
More information: https://t.co/KGEPUMbQl5
– FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) July 6, 2021
UEFA ordered that Germany’s proposal was intended as a direct protest against Hungary, where a law had recently been passed banning the showing of homosexuality to anyone under the age of 18, and because UEFA considered it to be based solely on politics, they chose to deny the request.
Instead, UEFA suggested alternative dates to light up the stadium, all of which came when the Allianz Arena was empty, and Germany took whatever chance they could get to show their support.
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