England players booed by young Hungary fans while taking the knee in Budapest

The Three Lions made the trip to the Puskas Arena for their UEFA Nations League clash, in a contest that was to be played behind-closed-doors after hosts Hungary were issued a three-match spectator ban.

That suspension was dished out by UEFA as a punishment for the racist behaviour of their supporters during Euro 2020.

Hungary were then handed a further two games without support, after their fans were found guilty by FIFA of directing racist abuse towards England stars during their World Cup qualifier in Budapest in September last year.

While officially being played behind-closed-doors, the Hungarian FA used a UEFA regulation that allowed children to attend, accompanied by an adult.

The association said over 30,000 children registered for tickets for Saturday's match, which were complimentary as part of UEFA's Disciplinary Procedures.

Allowing children to attend the match free of charge is a noble gesture and, after the young Hungarian fans could be heard cheering the national anthems of both countries before kick-off, many assumed that the good-natured intent of their attendance had paid off.

However, according to talkSPORT's England reporter Faye Carruthers - who was in attendance at the Puskas Arena - boos could be heard from the 30,000 in attendance.

It is claimed there was one adult in attendance for every ten school children within the stadium.

Carruthers wrote on Twitter: "Don't agree with 30,000-plus fans attending a behind closed doors fixtures, [but] hearing the children singing the Hungarian national anthem made me think maybe it was okay.

"Then they booed the England players taking the knee…"

That sentiment was echoed by talkSPORT's co-commentator for the match, Dean Ashton, who was not happy with what he heard.

The former Three Lions striker said: "That suggests a much deeper institutional problem. It was horrible to hear."

England captain Harry Kane also appeared to make his own personal statement against racism and other prejudice by wearing a rainbow armband for the match.

Ahead of the match, England manager Gareth Southgate responded to the news of young people being invited to watch the behind-closed-doors encounter.

The Three Lions boss hoped it would be an opportunity for the fans both in the stadium and watching at home to learn about the consequences of racism, and would have been saddened by the scenes before kick-off.

"We've shown how we feel about these issues, in terms of racism and it's unacceptability," said Southgate.

"Hopefully the young people in the stadium will recognise why this opportunity has happened and in some ways maybe this will be part of the education for the next generation.

"Each generation that passes will bring more tolerance and we have the same situation in our country, so we've got to keep setting the right example.

"All being well, the young people will enjoy the game and take a bigger message from it."