June 9 – Hungary will not take the knee before Euro 2020 matches, the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) has announced.
Last night (Tuesday) the Hungarians drew 0-0 in a friendly in Budapest against Ireland. While the Irish players did take the knee before kick-off, the Hungarians remained standing.
The MLSZ considers the gesture against racism a political protest. In a statement, the federation wrote: “The regulations of UEFA and FIFA do not authorise politics on the fields and in the stadiums, something that the MLSZ not only accepts but supports.”
“Core values of the sport are equal opportunities, respect for teammates and the opponent. Football could become the most popular sport in the world because it belongs to everyone. The Hungarian national team not only follows international rules and norms in all cases, but also pays respect to everyone – be it an opponent, a fan or anyone else.”
The MLSZ statement, however, didn’t mention Euro 2020 specifically. The Hungarians will participate in their second consecutive continental finals and have been drawn in Group F with France, Germany and Portugal. They open their campaign at home in Budapest against Portugal on June 15.
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