Hungary race shame as ‘monkey chants’ aimed at Sterling and Bellingham after fans booed England players taking knee
ENGLAND were booed as they took the knee while Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were targeted with ‘monkey chants’ in Budapest.
Gareth Southgate’s stars were targeted by shameful Hungarian fans during their 4-0 World Cup qualifier win.
A large section of supporters jeered Southgate’s side as they made a stand against racism before kick-off.
And the poor behaviour of Hungarian fans was on show again during the game.
ITV pitch side reporter Gabriel Clarke said on the live broadcast that Sterling and Bellingham were the targets of racist taunts.
Clarke said: “We’re behind the goal that England are attacking.
“I’m sad to report some monkey chanting from supporters in the ultras section directed first at Raheem Sterling and then Jude Bellingham when he was warming up in this corner of the ground.
“I’m not sure if the players heard any of that.
“The Hungarian FA have warned fans not to do this but it’s been audible and it’s been visible.”
England captain Harry Kane said after the game that he didn’t hear the racist chants but would talk to his players about them.
There were fears England players would be booed for taking the knee after Uefa ordered Hungary to play three games behind closed doors.
That lenient punishment was given after Hungarian fans were heard chanting horrific racist abuse at Euro 2020.
Disgraceful homophobic banners were also seen around the Puskas Arena in Budapest during the tournament.
Hungary’s penalty is only applicable in Uefa competitions and two of those behind-closed-doors games are suspended for two years.
The Hungarian Football Federations was also fined a measly €100,000 – around £86k – for their fans’ ugly actions.
Republic of Ireland players were also booed by Hungarian supporters in Budapest for taking the knee during their friendly in June.
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Hungary manager Marco Rossi vowed before the match to stand by any action taken by England players during the World Cup qualifier.
But his players chose NOT to take the knee in solidarity with their English counterparts.
And Hungarian FA president Sandor Csanyi asked supporters not to make any racist, homophobic or discriminatory chants during the game.
Csanyi wrote in the match programme: “It is also important that the team’s unbeaten run so far in this FIFA qualifying campaign is not overshadowed by anything else.
“And that the loud noises produced inside the arena is full of encouragement for our national team rather than containing any racist, discriminatory or homophobic chants.”
Speaking before the match, England star Kalvin Phillips said: “We’ll carry on taking the knee because it’s important for us, important for our country and to fight racial abuse.”
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