A much changed team and a 6-0 win to respond to their first qualifier defeat in ten years should have been the headlines from England's trip to Bulgaria last night.
Unfortunately that is very much secondary to the scenes surrounding the game. The referee twice stopped the match in response to the racist abuse of England players. After consultations with the England management and team, and after warnings to the crowd, the game eventually continued. Many areas of the ground in Sofia had already been closed off by UEFA in response to previous racist behaviour in Bulgaria's games against the Czech Republic and Kosovo.
Step 1 of UEFA's anti-racism protocol activated in Sofia.
The match is stopped by the referee after racist chanting from fans.
Announcement made in the stadium that players will leave the field if it happens again.#BULENG #VMSport pic.twitter.com/X7D5bfD2V7— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2019
"Absolute scumbags.
"There is no place for racism in football or society."@Chris_Sutton73 as a section of fans leave the stadium in Sofia after continued racist chanting.#BULENG #EuropeanQualifiers #VMSport pic.twitter.com/1FgrNaVWYL— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2019
While England have been widely praised to their handling of the situation, it has brought calls for UEFA to examine their protocols and declare a lot harsher punishments for this kind of fan behaviour.
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings, making his England debut last night, first reacted to the abuse early in the game, and told the BBC after the game he could hear it "as clear as day". TV viewers saw Mings asking the linesman, "Did you hear that?"
He told the BBC of his mindset after the game.
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.
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.
Other England players also reacted to the incident on social media. Raheem Sterling, who scored twice in the game, was particularly strong in reacting the the Bulgarian coach's strange assertion that English fans were the real issue.
Mmmmh ... Not sure about this one chief https://t.co/Jyjr6vFtA8
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) October 14, 2019
Feeling sorry for Bulgaria to be represented by such idiots in their stadium. Anyway.. 6-0 and we go back home, at least we did our job. Safe travel to our fans, u guys did well 🤟🏾❤️
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) October 14, 2019
Not an easy situation to play in and not one which should be happening in 2019. Proud we rose above it to take three points but this needs stamping out. pic.twitter.com/jTnUGOa8z2
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 14, 2019
Also been told what the Bulgaria captain did at half-time. To stand alone and do the right thing takes courage and acts like that shouldn’t go unnoticed. #NoToRacism
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 14, 2019
Great performance and I’m proud of the togetherness we showed in some disgraceful circumstances. Racism has no place in society or football. It needs stamping out for good. Also a massive congrats to @OfficialTM_3 on a great debut 👏 #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/yS9pEFeXie
— Harry Kane (@HKane) October 14, 2019
Good win under difficult circumstances. There is absolutely no place for scenes like that. Proud of the team tonight 👊🏻 @England pic.twitter.com/kOOBeW5hSK
— Jordan Pickford (@JPickford1) October 14, 2019
Absolutely disgusted to have witnessed the behaviour of some of the crowd tonight but so proud of every single one of our players and staff. We stand together. Thanks to all of our travelling fans for your support 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/e8pchzO6tT
— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) October 14, 2019
The best way to bounce back. Proud of the team. There’s no place in football for that - disgraceful behaviour. Something must be done. 🏴 @England
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) October 14, 2019
Manager Gareth Southgate also took the opportunity to bring up the fact that racism is far from an isolated problem of Eastern European football stadiums, something the FA representatives have also been quick to bring up in interviews since the game.
The players were all absolutely adamant they wanted to keep playing but also we knew, if there was anything in the second half, we’d be reporting it and coming off.
Sadly, because of their experiences in our own country, they are hardened to racism.
I don’t know what that says about our society but that’s the reality. It actually saddens me. So they actually are in the dressing room smiling because they’ve played so well.
Meanwhile, Brian Kerr, doing punditry on the game for Virgin Media Sport, spoke about the role of UEFA in stomping out this kind of behaviour for good.
"It's been allowed to fester by UEFA & FIFA for many years.
"We've been trying to push UEFA to really punish these countries."
Brian Kerr, who is a director at @sariireland, criticises UEFA's punishment of racial abuse, following the scenes in Bulgaria tonight.#VMSport pic.twitter.com/gi5kYckWbr— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2019
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