Controversy Ahead of England's Nations League Tie as Hungary Resorts to Dodgy Tactic to Get Around UEFA Ban

• The UEFA Nations League opening round's most explosive match was saddled with even more acrimony ahead of the encounter
• Hungary and England will meet in Budapest, a repeat of last year's controversial encounter that was marred by accusations of racism against the home supporters
• UEFA imposed a ban on how many could watch the Hungarians' home matches in the near future, with the eastern European country finding a loophole to get around it

The stakes for tonight's UEFA Nations League A Group 3 encounter between Hungary and England at the Puskas Stadium just got higher.

The nations were involved in a nasty 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the same venue last year that the Three Lions won 4-0.

According to Sky Sports, England players were racially abused by Hungarian supporters, having been booed by them at the beginning of the match for taking the knee. As reported by EuroNews, the Hungarian was fined by FIFA, while also being ordered to play their next world cup qualifier behind closed doors.

The Top 10 Greatest Inter Milan Legends of All Time Ranked

Football

The Guardian reported that Hungary was also sanctioned by UEFA after discriminatory behaviour by supporters during the team's home matches during EURO 2020 last year. The team had to play three matches under restrictions for future UEFA competitions, including tonight's match against England.

However, as revealed in The Express, a loophole in UEFA’s regulations allows children to attend such games. According to their rules, “children under the age of 14 from schools and/or football academies can be invited to the match free of charge.”

There is no limit to the number of children who can attend the match, with one adult allowed to accompany every 10 children. This will see 36 000 people, a majority of them minors, attending the match in the 67-000 seater stadium.

Group 3 is something of a Group of Death, with Germany and Italy also drawn alongside Hungary and England.

The match will kick off at 6pm CAT.

Chelsea vs Arsenal: The London rivalry born in the 2000s

Football

Netherlands whip the ‘devil’ out of Belgium in UEFA Nations League opener

The Netherlands kicked off their 2022-23 UEFA Nations League campaign on a flying note when the Oranjes dispatched Belgium with ease at the King Baudouin Stadium on Friday, June 3.

As reported by Sports Brief, a brace from Barcelona forward Memphis Depay and solitary strikes from Denzel Dumfries and Steven Bergwijn ensured the Dutch began their Nations League on an impressive note.

It was the Red Devils who started brightly with Timothy Castagne's effort crashing off the post to signal the intention of the home side after 14 minutes.