Euro2016 – Supporters requested to continue their well-behaved backing of the team

Balázs Dzsudzsák was captain of Hungary on the pitch on Saturday evening in Marseille, and at one point of the match was also seen to be addressing the Hungary support.

The mlsz.hu said, in coming from a goal down to draw against Iceland on Saturday evening Hungary have all but secured a place in the knock-out stages, and with Portugal and Austria playing out a 0-0 draw later that day, Bernd Storck’s side go into the third round of matches as group leaders.

The huge number of supporters who cheered the team on in Marseille played a big part in the team’s success. An unprecedented travelling support that some estimate to have been close to 30,000 in number created a wonderful atmosphere in the city during the afternoon and which only intensified in the stadium during the match.

Following the trouble last weekend involving Russian, English and local supporters, the red-and-white clad Hungary fans gave a fine example of how to get behind their team, on the way to, and within the Stade Vélodrome. It really was no wonder that after the match practically every player who took to social media – Iceland players included – emphasised what a fantastic support the Hungary team has.

“You can’t lose with this backing, the support helped score the equalising goal; hats off to them, and also to the team” said Dzsudzsák. “There were 15 million of us on the pitch today; with such support behind us there are very few sides that can beat us”.

Hungarian supporters in Marseille, photo: MTI/EPA/Guillaume Horcajuelo

It is also true however that following the equalising goal the Hungary captain needed to calm the supporters down since a few of the crowd overstepped the rules in attempting to enter the pitch, and a flare was also thrown onto the field of play. In the knowledge that UEFA will severely punish the team for similar instances of supporter unruliness, Dzsudzsák immediately ran over to the crowd to ask for calm and encourage them to continue to back the team in a well-behaved manner.

According to reports there were also other incidents, the authorities arresting a number of supporters on Saturday night for committing violent acts and also possession of pyrotechnics, and a disciplinary procedure has been launched against the Hungarian federation.

UEFA takes even the smallest supporter transgressions very seriously, and in general punishes the team should any of their supporters not keep to the rules. For this reason the Hungarian national team and their captain Balázs Dzsudzsák request that supporters continue to get behind the team but within the limits of good behaviour. In the event of serious, violent or racist incidents the federation may receive a serious punishment which could affect the Hungary national team, and even their further participation.

“A close relationship has formed between the support and the team, which is very important for us as the backing from the stands means a great deal to us and gives us all an unbelievable motivation. I ask that everyone continues to support us in this manner during our next matches, but hopefully in a way which does not give reason for any possible punishment; that is, only the events on the field will determine how we finish the European Championship” he said.

Photo: MTI

Source: mlsz.hu