Bulgaria and Hungary have lost appeals against the decision to make them play their next home World Cup qualifiers behind closed doors after their fans were found guilty of racist and anti-semitic behaviour respectively.

“The appeals lodged by the Hungarian Football Federation (MLZS) and Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) were both rejected and the decisions of the FIFA disciplinary committee are confirmed in their entirety,” FIFA said.

“The MLZS and BFU have both been warned to their future conduct,” added FIFA.

Bulgaria were sanctioned after a group of fans racially abused Denmark’s Patrick Mtliga every time he touched the ball during their qualifier in Sofia in October.

Hungary’s punishment followed anti-Semitic chanting by fans in a friendly at home to Israel in August.

Bulgaria, whose next home game in Group B is against Malta in March, were also fined €28,300 and Hungary, who host Romania also in March in Group D, were fined €32,400.

FIFA said that during the Bulgaria match, also marred by a firework-throwing incident in the seventh minute, fans were warned by the stadium announcer about their behaviour in the 73rd minute.

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