Karim Benzema & Kylian Mbappe (©AFP)
Karim Benzema & Kylian Mbappe (©AFP)

Racism outbursts at EURO 2020 - Hungarian supporters target African rooted Frenchmen

Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 20.06.21. | 19:27

Shocking scenes at Puskas Arena - opposed to national team footballers, Hungarian fans hurt their country's image

The Puskas Arena in Budapest is the only stadium at this European Championship where the capacity can be fully utilized. There were more than 55,000 fans, mostly Hungarian, in the stands against both Portugal and France.

Due to more flexible corona measures in Hungary, UEFA is considering moving the final from Wembley to Budapest. However, after shameful actions done by Hungarian fans, the idea will be reconsidered.

The footballers of Hungary made their nation proud with their performances on the pitch (almost unbeaten against the reigning European champions and drawing against reigning World Cup winners) but the people at the stands did exactly the opposite.

The French star player Kylian Mbappé had to deal with racism during the match between France and Hungary at the sold-out Puskas Arena in Budapest.

As per French attacker, 'monkey noises' from Hungarian fans could be heard in certain corners of the stadium (Mbappe's father is from Cameroon).

Insults were also heard at French attack with Algerian roots, Karim Benzema.

Hungary has in the past been regularly punished by football authorities for racism among fans. Whether UEFA will conduct an investigation, it is not yet clear.

Aside from football, the country altogether is currently not very popular in Europe. Hungary's parliament passed a law banning the promotion of homosexuality and gender-changing among young people under the age of 18.

According to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government - such approach is a way to promote the well-being of Hungarian youth. However, critics see this as an attack on freedom of expression.

Hungarians' last group match will be played on Wednesday in Munich against Germany. What is interesting is that, for the game, the Munich city council hopes that the European Championship stadium in the city will be lit up in the colors of the rainbow.

Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena can be illuminated in all kinds of colors on the outside. In the past, the stadium often wore the rainbow colors, the symbol of diversity and an online petition with the same goal has already been signed more than 50,000 times.

The captain of the German national team, Manuel Neuer always plays with a rainbow colors armband at the European Championships.

Next Sunday, the Dutch national team, which also has players of African descent within their ranks, will play the eighth finals in Budapest. It is still unknown who will they face in that stage of the competition - there is a small chance it could be none other than Hungary.

Let's just hope the Hungarians in the stands know better for the future.


tags

PortugalFranceHungaryEuro 2020

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