Players could walk off over fans’ racism

Tammy Abraham and Trent Alexander-arnold say England’s players are prepared to defy Uefa’s racism protocols and walk off if someone is targeted.

Gareth Southgate’s side face away Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic tomorrow and Bulgaria on Monday, with the second game – played at a partially closed Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia as a sanction for racism – set to come under particular scrutiny.

England’s players were racially abused during their March qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica, where they stayed on the pitch and ran out 5-1 winners.

Southgate has said that England will follow Uefa’s three-step protocol for dealing with racial abuse, which begins with making the referee aware of the situation and can end with the match being abandoned.

But Abraham has suggested that, if England’s players believe someone is not comfortable, captain Harry Kane will lead them off the field before the three steps are carried out.

The Chelsea forward said: “We’ve touched base on how to deal with the situation. Harry Kane even said that if it happens and we’re not happy with it, we speak to the player and if he’s not happy, we all come off the pitch together.”

Liverpool full-back Alexander-arnold reckons the protocols will be followed but that, in an “extreme” situation, a different course may be taken.

He said: “We have an obligation to follow the protocols, that’s what we need to do. If it does get to the extreme, maybe different action might be taken.”