Hungary’s Far-Right Prime Minister Loves Football Almost As Much As He Loves Power

Hungary didn't qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. Viktor Orbán is a nationalist politician who loves football. He used to play football and was a coach. Since he became PM, he has tried to change the Hungarian game. His Puskás Akadémia FC is playing in the top division. It was founded by his friend Lőrinc Mészáros. He uses a scheme called TAO to channel billions of Forints into football clubs in Hungary. The scheme allows the state to divert tax revenue towards sporting infrastructure. Pancho Arnea is one of the most opulent stadiums in world football, and the chairman is Lórins Mézécs.

Hungary's Prime Minister loves football almost as much as he loves power. Football is the most popular and most global cultural phenomenon in the 21st century.

Orbán is a nationalist who loves football. He has tried to reduce far-right displays among Hungarian football fans. The Carpathian Bridge, the black-shirted ultras group which supports Hungary’s national team, is part of this trade off. Orbán attended Hungary's friendly fixture against Greece this week and wore a scarf showing a map of the former “Greater Hungary.” He was being more explicit about the connection between football and nationalism. It is implied in some of his funding of football, but here he was clearer.

Orbán believes that football is a strange combination of being free and being a soldier. Hungary has a critical approach to all civilisations and thinks modern society is dangerous for the kids.