Hungary plans FIFA appeal over penalty for anti-Semitism at match
Association ordered national team to play next World Cup qualifier in empty stadium
BUDAPEST (AP) — The Hungarian Football Federation said Wednesday it is appealing a FIFA ruling forcing it to play its next World Cup qualifier in an empty stadium after fans shouted anti-Semitic slogans at Israel during a friendly match in August.
The federation said it has notified FIFA of its decision to file the appeal by the mid-January deadline.
FIFA fined Hungary and ordered it to play behind closed doors on March 22, against neighboring Romania.
Political and ethnic tensions arising mostly from the fate of a large Hungarian minority in Romania usually add extra interest to matches between the two teams.
Hungary’s far-right Jobbik party said on Tuesday that it wants to hold a protest outside the stadium during the match so Hungarian players can hear fans’ support despite the ban.
