Hungarian FA to appeal FIFA racism ruling
Reuters - Wednesday 09 January 2013, 12:26
The
Hungarian Football Association will appeal FIFA's decision to ban fans
from attending the country's World Cup qualifying game against Romania
in March because of a racist incident last year.
The
punishment followed anti-Semitic chanting by fans in a friendly at home
against Israel in August, for which the Hungarian FA (MLSZ) expressed
regret, but it was unhappy with the ruling to play the 2014 World Cup
Group D qualifier behind closed doors.
"That
the Hungarian national team must serve its punishment at a vital game
in the most prestigious international tournament for an incident at a
friendly game seems overly harsh and unfair even before receiving the
precise reasoning," the MLSZ said.
"Therefore
MLSZ will file its appeal after it receives the ruling in order for a
more just decision in proportion to what happened [in August]."
The
MLSZ added it wrote a letter after the August friendly to the Israeli
ambassador in Hungary and the Israeli Football Association and FIFA to
apologise, in which it "condemned the actions of a minority of fans at
the game."
"Considering the
extremists behaviour experienced at the game, FIFA's actions against
such incidents is understandable," the MLSZ added in the statement
released on Tuesday, having cancelled a previously scheduled interview
with Reuters.
"MLSZ - like
FIFA and UEFA - is still determined to expel from the stadiums hateful
acts and fan behaviour that do not adhere to the spirit of fair play.
"It
is committed to making sure extremist voices that do not adhere to
civilised norms disappear from Hungarian football fields as soon as
possible."
On top of the
anti-Semitic chanting last August, Hungarian fans also waved Iranian
flags at the Israeli team, who were warned of a "severe threat" to their
safety.
Hungary and Romania,
who meet on March 22, are locked on nine points from four games, three
behind group leaders Netherlands and six ahead of any challengers for
second spot.
Given the importance of the game there were contrasting reactions in Budapest and Bucharest.
Hungary's
national sports daily ran a full front-page image on Wednesday saying
"Locked out!" and called the decision "shocking" while fan pages on
social media sites exploded with condemnations of FIFA and its leaders,
often repeating anti-Semitic slurs.
Romania's
sports press was jubilant over the ban on spectators, believing it will
help their team in its efforts to qualify for their first World Cup
since 1998. Hungary have not made it since 1986.
In
an article headlined "We've escaped from the inferno of Budapest",
Prosport quoted former player and coach Emerich Jenei as saying: "It's a
huge advantage. I know the Hungarian public well and know what I'm
talking about."