FIFA investigate racial abuse suffered by England

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FIFA are investigating racial abuse aimed at England players during their 4-0 World Cup Qualifier win over Hungary at the Puskas Arena on Thursday.

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England players were booed when they took a knee before the match in a protest against racism while Raheem Sterling was pelted with cups and bottles when he scored.

A flare was thrown onto the pitch when England went 3-0 ahead and Jude Bellingham also reportedly suffered abuse.

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on FIFA to take action over the "disgraceful" racist abuse.

"It is completely unacceptable that England players were racially abused in Hungary last night," Johnson said on Twitter.

He urged FIFA to take "strong action against those responsible to ensure that this kind of disgraceful behaviour is eradicated from the game for good."

UEFA had previously ordered Hungary to play three games behind closed doors after fans' discriminatory behaviour during Euro 2020.

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Cups and bottles were thrown at Raheem Sterling after he scored. Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images

England manager Gareth Southgate, who had ice thrown at him during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, said he hoped something was done.

"I've heard reports of racism, which I hadn't heard during the game," he said.

"Everyone knows what we stand for as a team, and that's completely unacceptable. It has been reported. Our head of security has spoken to the players and taken their statement. We will deal with it in the right channels.

"The world is modernising and although some people are stuck in their ways of thinking and their prejudices, they're going to be the dinosaurs in the end because the world is changing."

Source: espn.co.uk