ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate said on Thursday that he believes Hungary’s stadium ban and a prison sentence for a West Brom fan shows that a more “tolerant society” is emerging.

Last week, Fifa ordered Hungary to play two home matches behind closed doors, one suspended for two years, and handed out a 200,000 Swiss francs (over £158,000) fine.

It followed charges of racist behaviour during the 4-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by the Three Lions in Budapest earlier this month.

Then on Thursday, the same day that Southgate named his 23-man squad for the qualification double-header against Andorra and at home to Hungary – Simon Silwood was handed an eight-week prison sentencing over the online racial abuse of West Brom midfielder Romaine Sawyers.

Silwood, who has been banned for life by West Brom, was convicted at an earlier hearing at Walsall Magistrates’ Court after District Judge Briony Clarke ruled he was “not a credible witness” and had meant the post to be offensive.

Southgate said: “I’ve only just learned about the specifics of the case. 

“Look, I think all I would say is that it’s important that we do take the online abuse, the abuse in general society, very seriously. I think we’re recognising the importance of that.

“We want a tolerant society and I think that’s where we’re heading. For me, they’re the important messages at this time.”