HOW DISGRACEFUL SCENES UNFOLDED

UEFA’S the following three-step guidance protocol on how gives referees should act if racist abuse comes from the stands:

STEP 1: When a player approaches the referee to say there has been racist abuse from the stands, the ref must stop the match and ask for an announcement demanding an end to the behaviour.

STEP 2: If the racism does not stop the referee can suspend the match and tell teams to go to the dressing room as another announcement is made over the public address system.

STEP 3: If the racist behaviour continues, the match will be abandoned.

After 27 minutes last night, Step 1 of the protocol was put into practice when captain Harry Kane spoke to referee Ivan Bebek. An announcement was made over the speaker system to fans and the game resumed after around four minutes.

This came shortly after England’s Tyrone Mings (above right) asked a linesman ‘Did you hear that?’ over monkey chants from the stands and England boss Gareth Southgate spoke to the fourth official (above left).

Footage showed Bulgaria fans making Nazi salutes in the first half.

In the 43rd minute the match was stopped again and England players including Jordan Henderson approached Bulgaria manager Krasimir Balakov.

A lengthy discussion then took place with Southgate and the officials. Lots of Bulgaria fans appeared to leave the stadium.

At half-time Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov came over towards the tunnel to speak to home fans.

Stop the thugs: England captain Harry Kane speaks to referee Ivan Bebek in the 27th minute as the game is suspended for the first time

Appalling: Bulgaria fans making Nazi salutes (above) and monkey noises (right) in the first half; (top) Raheem Sterling is greeted by England staff as he is substituted in the second half