BULGAR OFF
Racist chants and Nazi salutes halt England game
BULGARIAN louts performed Nazi salutes and made monkey chants at England’s football stars last night.
The Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia was halted twice as officials warned the Balkan country’s fans about the vile racist abuse.
But the Three Lions remained defiant as they romped to a 6-0 victory which all but secures a place in next summer’s tournament.
ENGLAND’S football team were defiant last night as Bulgarian yobs performed Nazi salutes and made monkey chants.
Their Euro 2020 qualifier was stopped twice as officials warned fans after England manager Gareth Southgate raised the issue at the half hour mark and on 41 minutes.
But the Three Lions rose above the sickening abuse in Sofia to win 6-0 and keep on track to qualify for next summer’s tournament.
Referee Ivan Bebek implemented the first step of Uefa’s three-step protocol for racist chanting during games, with the Tannoy announcer saying the game will be suspended again or abandoned if the chants continued.
Racist
Dozens of fans – many without their faces covered – performed Nazi salutes. Others made monkey gestures and hurled vile abuse, targeting Tyrone Mings and Raheem Sterling.
England fans at the Vasil Levski National Stadium condemned the abuse. They chanted: “You racist b ****** s, you know what you are.”
Commentator and former England player Ian Wright said: “It is a terrible day for Bulgarian people but it is a great day for tackling racism.
“What we are seeing is a set of fans who do not care and need educating. The fact is there are a set of people there who have got no respect, they have no respect.”
After the match, the FA said: “This is unacceptable at any level of the game and our immediate focus is supporting the players and staff involved. We will be asking Uefa to investigate as a matter of urgency.”