We wanted to play on so fascist fans did NOT win
we’d handle it. I sat up in the stands and, as soon as the interval was called by the referee, I went down. Then I talked to Gareth at half-time to establish the facts and he said: “The players heard monkey chanting”.
‘They reported to the ref, the ref came over and stopped the game to make an announcement. Then it happened again. The ref said to Gareth, “Do you want to go off?” Gareth said, “No, we are four minutes out, let’s get to half-time and let me talk to the players”.’
‘ He talked to the players at half-time and they got together and they said, “No, we want to play, we want to finish, we want to win the game, we don’t want the racists to win”.
‘I heard examples of appalling rascist chanting. I was looking at a group of people, in all black — about 50 of them — who were making what looked like political fascist gestures.’
The FA expect UEFA to open an investigation, with representatives from English football’s governing body taking statements from members of the team and staff ahead of submitting their report of the shocking events.
Southgate, who spent the moments after the final whistle checking on the welfare of his players, said: ‘The officials were on to everything very quickly. We reported everything very quickly, we had constant communication with the referee. I was in contact with the players all the way through the first half.
‘We know it is an unacceptable statement. We have managed to make two statements by winning the games and have raised awareness to everybody. We stopped the game twice, which we know for some people won’t be enough.’
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Mings said: ‘It was a great night for me personally. It was a really proud moment in my career. I hope everyone enjoys this moment and it isn’t overshadowed
‘I am proud of how we dealt with it and took the appropriate steps. I could hear it as clear as day.
‘It doesn’t affect me too much. I feel more sorry for those people who feel they have to have those opinions.
‘I am very proud of everyone for the decisions we made. I went to Harry Kane first. He spoke to the manager, who then spoke to the fourth official. Everyone was aware of it but ultimately we let our football do the talking and didn’t get distracted by anything.
‘Just before the end of the first half, the appropriate step was to return to the changing room. We made a common sense decision to play the remaining few minutes and decide at half-time.
‘Everybody made the decision. The manager, the team, the support staff. We spoke about it at half-time and we dealt with it and escalated it in the right way.’
England instigated step one of UEFA’s three-point protocol in the event of racism in a stadium during a match when Mings complained to assistant Zobenica that he had been abused.
The information was relayed to fourth official Mario Zebec who, after talking to Southgate, informed referee Ivan Bebek.
Bebek then had separate discussions with England captain Kane and Bulgaria skipper Ivelin Popov. After a short delay, the stadium announcer warned the game would be suspended or abandoned if the racist abuse continued.
Despite the warnings, eye witnesses insist the abuse continued. Monkey chants were heard whenever Sterling and Rashford were in possession. Home fans were also seen making fascist salutes.
Three minutes before halftime the game was stopped again after further discussions between Southgate and the fourth official.
England’s players were clearly incensed at the taunts and vice captain Jordan Henderson had a blazing row with Bulgaria coach Krasimir Balakov. The expectation at this point was for the second step of UEFA’s protocol — for the referee to lead the players off and suspend the game — to be enacted. But play continued and the first half ended in further drama when home skipper Popov approached a group of supporters to have a long conversation. By the start of the second half, a large number of home fans had left. Bulgaria head coach Balakov said: ‘I was concentrating and I didn’t hear anything, but if this is proven to be true, we should be ashamed and apologise. This is an extremely sensitive and serious topic. If true, this is a big shame.’ Former England striker Ian Wright said on ITV: ‘UEFA are not doing nearly enough. I am so proud at what (England) are doing at the moment.’