Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, called racist insults directed at England players at a World Cup qualifier in Budapest “absolutely unacceptable” and urged FIFA to intervene.
During England’s 4-0 victory in the Puskas Arena on Thursday, monkey chants were directed towards Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham.
Manchester City striker Sterling scored the game’s first goal, but the victory was overshadowed by the vitriol directed at England’s black players, including Sterling.
An angry home audience also hurled missiles and a flare into the pitch.
Johnson said on Twitter, “It is completely unacceptable that @England players were racially abused in Hungary last night,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.
“I urge @FIFAcom to take strong action against those responsible to ensure that this kind of disgraceful behavior is eradicated from the game for good.”
After finding its supporters guilty of abusive behavior at Euro 2020, UEFA in July instructed Hungary to play their following three games within closed doors, with one match being postponed for two years.
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The ban, however, did not apply to the World Cup qualifier vs England because it is a FIFA event.
England’s footballers were also booed before the game in Hungary after kneeling in protest against racism.
It was not the first occasion manager Gareth Southgate has had to cope with the aftermath of racist behavior directed at his players; similar incidents marred Euro 2020 qualifiers in Montenegro and Bulgaria.
After the game, England manager Gareth Southgate said, “It sounds like there have been some incidents and everybody knows what we stand for as a team and that that’s completely unacceptable.
“Everything is being reported to UEFA and we have to see what happens from there.
“The players recognize the world is changing. Although some people are stuck in their way of thinking and prejudices, they are going to be the dinosaurs in the end because the world is modernizing.”
“It is extremely disappointing to hear reports of discriminatory actions towards some of our England players”, The Football Association said.
“We will be asking FIFA to investigate the matter.
“We continue to support the players and staff in our collective determination to highlight and tackle discrimination in all its forms.”
