Hungary v England ‘behind closed doors’ will have 30,000 spectators despite UEFA ban for racist abuse | Soccer News

England’s match against Hungary in Budapest on Saturday, which was due to be played behind closed doors, will now have over 30,000 spectators, Sky Sports News confirmed.

The three-match spectator ban was issued by UEFA in June 2021 as punishment for racist abuse by fans during Euro 2020.

As Hungary waited to serve that UEFA ban, FIFA imposed a separate two-match ban on them, after further racist abuse was directed at England players from the stands at the Puskas Arena, when the two teams met in a World Cup qualifier in September.

But a loophole in UEFA rules allows children to attend a closed game like this, with every 10 children allowed to be accompanied by an adult.

Page 41 of UEFA’s disciplinary procedures state that only 55 people from each team delegation can attend, including players, as well as 120 special guests and VIPs from the visiting team.

But the procedures also specify that “children under the age of 14 from schools and/or football academies may be invited to the match free of charge”. There is no limit to the number of people who can attend under UEFA rules.

The Hungarian FA told SSN that they have so far received more than 30,000 registrations for the free tickets, from children and their guardians across the country.

They expect to receive more ticket requests before the Nations League game kicks off on Saturday afternoon.

In September, Rangers’ Glen Kamara was regularly booed by a crowd of 10,000 Sparta Prague fans – also largely made up of schoolchildren – during a Europa League group stage clash in the Czech capital.

This game was intended to be played behind closed doors as another punishment for a racial abuse charge the previous season, but fell into the same loophole.