It was an appalling and depressing evening off the pitch, as England players Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were subjected to racist abuse during last night’s 4-0 win in Budapest.
Hungary are already subject to disciplinary action and must play their next three home Uefa matches behind closed doors as a result of “discriminatory behaviour” by their fans at the Euros, with the third match ban suspended. They must now face further punishment.
England’s players have done so much in taking a stand against racism. They should not have to put up with this. Abusers should be banned for life and the team itself forced to play as many games behind closed doors as it takes to get the message through — that zero tolerance on racist abuse means exactly that.
And Uefa and Fifa must find the wherewithal to co-operate. Technicalities over football governing body jurisdictions cannot allow international teams to evade bans for the racist behaviour of their fans.
Abba, Bjorn again
HOW could we ever refuse? Cue wild scenes across social media as Abba announced their first album containing new songs for almost 40 years and a concert replete with digital versions of themselves.
This is not your Seventies pop group, for those who remember the decade. Only a cynic would think this was all about the money, money, money. The two tracks released yesterday were classic Abba.
We can’t wait for the London concert.
