Bulgaria and Hungary will each play their next World Cup qualifying matches on March 22 behind closed doors after racist incidents, among other infractions, marred previous encounters, FIFA said on Tuesday.

World soccer's governing body said that during the Hungary-Israel game in August, "a group of supporters had chanted anti-Semitic chants, and displayed other offensive symbols", which the Hungarian federation acknowledged and regretted.

"After taking into account the full circumstances of the case, and in particular due to the gravity of the incidents," FIFA's disciplinary committee ruled Hungary's match against Romania on March 22 would now "be played without spectators".

The committee also decided to impose a fine of 40,000 Swiss francs ($43,000) on the Hungarian federation (MLSZ).

The MLSZ called FIFA's decision "harsh" and announced it intended to lodge an appeal.

"It is both harsh and unfair that the Hungarian international team will be punished in the most crucial match in the most illustrious international tournament due to an incident which happened in a friendly match," the federation said.

Bulgaria's March 22 qualifier against Malta will also be behind closed doors after Denmark's Patrick Mtiliga was subjected to racist abuse by a group of Bulgarian fans in a match between the countries in October.

AFP

(China Daily 01/10/2013 page23)