The Football Association has been sanctioned by UEFA, resulting in a partial stadium closure for England's upcoming Nations League match against Andorra. The governing body has ordered the closure of a section of Wembley Stadium for the fixture.
The punishment stems from charges relating to fan disturbances and the throwing of objects during England's recent match against Hungary in Budapest. Furthermore, the Hungarian Football Federation was hit with a more severe penalty, including a two-match stadium ban for their supporters' conduct, which involved racist chanting and homophobic banners.
This disciplinary action serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues of discrimination within football. The England team itself was fined for the behaviour of its travelling supporters during the same match.
The upcoming match against Andorra will now be played with a visibly empty section, a direct consequence of the actions of a minority of fans. This sanction will be a disappointment for the FA, which has promoted strong anti-discrimination campaigns.
Manager Gareth Southgate and the squad must now prepare for their next competitive home game in an altered atmosphere at the national stadium.
