Hungary fans involved in ugly clashes with police at Wembley as officers use batons to quell violence in early stages of World Cup qualifier against England
- Hungarian fans travelled to London for their World Cup qualifier against England
- Travelling supporters were involved in ugly clashes with riot police at Wembley
- Pictures and videos showed fans brawling with officers during start of game
- Riot police used batons to quell the violence and quickly got it under control
Hungary fans were involved in violent clashes with police as their behaviour marred yet another World Cup qualifier with England.
The authorities were already on high alert after Hungary supporters racially abused England’s players and hurled missiles at them in the reverse meeting in Budapest in September.
And it did not take long for the expected trouble to arrive with tensions quickly boiling over in the Wembley return.
Riot police attempt to push back Hungary fans who were climbing over seats at Wembley
The ugly scenes in the stands at Wembley occurred during the early stages of the qualifier
Police managed to calm the fighting in the away end within around 12 minutes of the first half
Some in the way support aimed gestures towards England fans when Gareth Southgate’s players took the knee ahead of kick-off. They also held up banner bearing an anti-kneeling message.
Then, just minutes in, more trouble broke out as police were required to back up stewards and enter the away section from one of the concourses, moving in in a bid to control the situation.
In ugly scenes, blows appeared to be exchanged between the officers and a group of Hungary fans, which swelled in size as more joined in to back up the mob and force the police back.
The police eventually had to retreat back down one of the away section exits onto the concourse and were followed by some of the away fans.
Hungarian fans set off a flare in the away end during the World Cup qualifier against England
The violence appeared to spill down into the concourse during the early stages of the game
Hungarian fans were celebrating shortly after the violent scenes when Roland Sallai scored
Peace was eventually restored though there were more gaps once the situation calmed down, suggesting some travelling fans had been ejected. Less than 1000 travelling supporter tickets were understood to have been sold to Hungary fans.
Rather than police, stewards later appeared to guard the exits and continue to monitor the away section.
The disturbances, which also included a flare being left off after Hungary took a first-half lead, is set to leave them in more hot water with football’s governing bodies.
They were ordered to play last week’s World Cup qualifier against Albania at the Puskas Arena behind closed doors and pay a £158,000 fine for their racist abuse aimed at England players and associated trouble.
Raheem Sterling was subjected to racist abuse when the two sides met in Budapest last month
Fans threw cups at the England players after Sterling scored in a dominant 4-0 victory
As part of their punishment, a second game was suspended for a period of two years.
A section of their supporters targeted Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham with monkey chants.
In July, Hungary were also ordered to play their next three UEFA matches also behind closed doors after incidents of racism and homophobia at Euro 2020.
One of those games was also suspended for two years.
In anticipation of further trouble from Hungary supporters, the Metropolitan Police increased their presence outside Wembley Stadium.
The Football Association’s security plan is also understood to have included additional measures in readiness for any outbreaks of trouble.