ENGLAND 6 RACISM 0
England players suffer shocking abuse ++ Monkey chants aimed at Sterling and Rashford ++ Bulgaria fans make fascist salutes ++ Match is stopped twice and almost abandoned
ENGLAND players came close to walking off the field last night as racist abuse by Bulgaria fans marred a thumping 6-0 victory in Euro 2020 qualifying.
Debutant Tyrone Mings complained to referee’s assistant Bojan Zobenica that he had been targeted in the 22nd minute. Monkey chants were heard whenever Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford were on the ball and home fans were seen making fascist salutes.
That information was relayed to fourth official Mario Zebec who, after talking to England manager Gareth Southgate, informed referee Ivan Bebek. He triggered the first step of UEFA’s anti-racism protocol in the 27th minute by stopping play.
Bebek then had discussions separately with England captain Harry Kane and Bulgaria skipper Ivelin Popov. After a short delay, the stadium announcer warned spectators the game would be suspended or abandoned if the abuse continued.
However, there was no let-up and three minutes before half-time, the match was stopped yet again, after further talks between Southgate and fourth official Zebec.
England’s players were incensed at the taunts and vice-captain Jordan
Henderson (right) had a blazing row with Bulgaria coach Krasimir Balakov. FA chairman Greg Clarke was locked in conversation with Southgate. The expectation at this point was for the second step of UEFA’s protocol — to stop the game and take the players off — to happen, but the match was allowed to continue until half-time. The opening period ended amid further drama as home skipper Popov approached a group of supporters and appeared to plead with them to stop their racist abuse. Scores of hardcore Bulgaria fans then left the ground shortly afterwards. The build-up to last night’s game had been overshadowed by fears of racism, with striker Tammy Abraham suggesting England players were prepared to walk off if black players were targeted. Part of the stadium had been closed off last night as punishment for Bulgaria fans racially abusing Kosovo players and supporters when the nations met earlier this year. There were reminders of why the FA were so fearful about racism last night inside and outside the stadium. Stickers near the stadium read ‘Respect racism’ and declared ‘Nazi zone’. Inside the ground, by the media area, swastika stickers were plastered on the back of several chairs. England fans tried to antagonise the home support by repeatedly singing, ‘Racist b ******* , we’re taking the p***’. In his role as an ITV pundit, Ian Wright said: ‘The fact is there are a set of people there who have got no respect. UEFA are not doing nearly enough. I am so proud at what (England) are doing at the moment. ‘It is a terrible day for the 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. ‘We have heard it for many years about walking off and it is something you do not want to do. ‘You need your white players to do it together. When you see it happening, it is powerful.’ His fellow pundit Roy Keane added: ‘You feel sick to your stomach when you witness it. It is horrible. I feel physically sick listening to that.’