The Euro 2020 qualifiers between England and Bulgaria on Monday night at the Sofia’s Vasil Levski National Stadium, saw one of the ugliest scenes in football history, as some Bulgaria fans racially abused England black players with monkey chants and Nazi salute.
One of the targetted player was Tyrone Mings who was playing for the first time for the Three Lions, as England bounced back from their disappointment of last week against Czech Republic to defeat the Bulgaria national team 0-6
Referee Ivan Bebek twice halted play in the opening 45 minutes and the PA announcer warned Bulgaria supporters that the match would be abandoned if the abuse continued. The announcer said:
‘This is an important stadium announcement, because of racist behaviour which is interfering with the game, the referee has indicated that he may have to suspend the match.
‘Racism in football stadiums will not be tolerated. Please be in no doubt that the game will be suspended and may be abandoned if racist behaviour continues amongst spectators. Help everyone enjoy the game and say no to racism. Thank you.’
FA statement on the racist abuse in Bulgaria The FA can confirm that England players were subjected to abhorrent racist chanting while playing in the EURO 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria.
“This is unacceptable at any level of the game and our immediate focus is supporting the players and staff involved.
As we are sadly aware, this is not the first time our players have been subjected to this level of abuse and there is no place for this kind of behaviour in society, let alone in football. We will be asking UEFA to investigate as a matter of urgency”.
UEFA have a three-step protocol in place for dealing with racism at games. Before Gareth Southgate had made his complaint over the chanting midway through the first half, ITV’s cameras picked up England debutant Mings informing officials over racism coming his way from the stands. ‘Did you hear that?’ the defender could be heard saying to his nearby linesman.
Speaking after the final whistle, Southgate hit out at the
‘unacceptable’ racism from Bulgaria supporters which marred England’s win. ‘I have to say that the officials were onto everything very quickly,’ the England manager told ITV Sport.
‘We reported everything immediately when we heard things. We had constant communication with the officials and referee and I was in contact with the players during the first half in particular and then again at half-time.
‘It’s an unacceptable situation. I think we’ve made two statements really by winning the game but also we have raised the awareness of everybody to the situation.
‘The game was stopped twice and I know for some people that won’t be enough but I think we as a group were on board with that process.’