Hungary supporters unfurl anti-kneeling banner as MASSIVE crowd gathers in Budapest to march towards Puskas Arena for France showdown
- The anti-racism gesture of taking a knee before matches is proving controversial
- While England stars continue to use it, the likes of France have now canned it
- Hungary fans gathered in their thousands before facing France, lighting flares
- At the front of the marching crowd an anti-kneeling banner was revealed
A giant crowd of Hungary fans marched to the Puskas Arena before their team faced France, with those at the front sending a clear message over taking the knee.
Flares and flags billowed across the wide road in Budapest as thousands descended on the national stadium for the group of death clash.
A banner reading ‘brotherhood’ was held up at the front of a chanting crowd, alongside one that called for players to stop their anti-racism protests pre-match.
Hungary fans made their feelings known before kick-off about taking the knee in a march
A giant crowd marched together to the Puskas Arena in Budapest, chanting and lighting flares
The supporters were out in force for the group of death clash between their nation and France
A mixture of boos and cheers have met the England team as they performed the gesture at Wembley before both of their Euro 2020 games so far, which is seeing growing backlash from fans.
World champions France have abandoned ‘the knee’ and remained standing at kick-off on Saturday.
They fear it has begun to divide rather than fulfilling its original purpose of uniting, despite much of Les Bleus’ squad flying-in to this tournament from Premier League clubs, where the gesture is more universally adopted.
Ian Wright has been one high-profile pundit to hit-out at those booing the knee: ‘They’re taking a knee to highlight the injustices. It’s a symbolic gesture to say they stand against that.
Many fans are losing patience with the gesture, with some nations abandoning it entirely
‘The excuses that they use as to why they’re booing are disingenuous.
‘The people that we’re dealing with, if they can’t understand now, with the amount of times the players have explained why they’re doing it, you don’t need to take notice of those people. They’re taking the knee for the right reasons, and that’s all that matters.
‘They don’t want to understand, but the fact is you still have to try and reach those people – you can’t leave them.’
Scotland have been indecisive over the gesture, standing for their opening clash with Czech Republic when the whistle blew, but then joining England in taking the knee before their 0-0 draw on Friday.
The Scottish captain Andy Robertson said: ‘Our stance is that everyone, players, fans, teams, clubs, federations, governing bodies and governments must do more. Meaningful action is needed if meaningful change is to occur.’