September 24 – Clearly having lost patience with the scourge of racism throughout European football, UEFA has hit Romania, Hungary and Slovakia with stadium bans that could have serious consequences for their Euro 2020 qualification hopes.
The three countries will all serve their punishment during their next home qualifiers in October when they will play behind closed doors while hosting Norway, Azerbaijan and Wales, respectively.
Hungary and Slovakia were sanctioned for racist behaviour by fans when the neighbouring countries played in Budapest on September 9. Riot police were called into action trouble erupted in the stands.
In addition to the racism charge, the Hungarian federation was also sanctioned for their fans throwing objects and setting off fireworks and fined €67,125 while Slovakia’s federation were ordered to pay €20,000.
Slovakia and Hungary both have nine points from five games, one point behind Croatia and three ahead of Wales.
Romania were ordered to play their next two home games behind closed doors for failing to control fans in Group F games with Spain and Malta including pitch invasions, setting off fireworks, throwing objects and racist behaviour. They were also fined €83,000 but UEFA have suspended the second stadium ban for a year.
Romania are third in their group, eight adrift of leaders Spain but only one point behind Sweden.
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