The Hungarian Football Federation announced on Tuesday that it has received approval from UEFA and FARE to use the historic “Greater Hungary” symbol in the national team’s matches.

UEFA logoPhoto: Russian Look Ltd. / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

A map that includes Transylvania is allowed at Hungary matches

The Hungarians have officially appealed to the football forum for clarification on the “historical” symbol, which UEFA does not consider political.

Thus, at matches of the national team, the flag of “Greater Hungary” can be displayed in the stands, if it is not accompanied by other symbols or additional inscriptions or chants of a racist tone, reports Prosport.

“Regarding the permission to place the historical symbol, MLSZ (non-Hungarian football federation) asked for a clear position from UEFA and FARE.

Accepting MLSZ’s argument, the two organizations accepted that only the colors of Hungary’s historical map and the Árpád stripe did not constitute racist behavior, but that this did not apply to additional symbols and inscriptions placed on the flags and chanting by fans. However, the association will allow the use of flags in the next two matches.

In recent days, both UEFA and FARE sent their responses to the Hungarian federation, which is going to organize two matches of the national team.

As expected, the two organizations continue to fight against the exclusion of racism and therefore will continue to punish flags that contain such a message as a disciplinary offence.

After negotiations, the association will allow flags to be brought into the stadium, which symbolize respect for historical Hungary and solidarity with fans from abroad, under the following conditions:

  • It can only represent a map of historical Hungary and not other symbols or inscriptions;
  • Only red, white and green colors can be on it;
  • The symbol must be presented – in the usual way – through content or fire control;
  • The symbol in the stadium cannot prevent fans from watching the match in peace.

At the same time, our fans should be aware that if a racist or political message is placed on an authorized flag as stated above, or any racist or political message is attached to a flag, it will result in disciplinary action and these things will cause damage team and the perception of Hungarian football,” the Football Federation of Hungary reported, Prosport reports.