'Absolutely disgusting': Football world in shock over 'abhorrent' Nazi salute scandal
Equality activists Kick It Out has demanded answers from UEFA to why the match between Bulgaria and England was not abandoned following racist abuse from the crowd directed towards the Three Lions’ players.
England's 6-0 EURO 2020 qualifying defeat of Bulgaria was twice halted by the match referee in the first half under a three-step UEFA protocol to tackle racist abuse from the crowd at the Vasil Levski stadium.
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The Three Lions took a giant stride towards the finals as they bounced back from Friday's shock loss in the Czech Republic, yet this will match will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Nazi salutes and racist chanting marred Monday's thumping win, where Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane goals complemented braces from Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling as the players showed great dignity in finishing the match.
England manager Gareth Southgate spoke to the fourth official with around five minutes of the first-half to go, while debutant Tyrone Mings was seen asking an assistant referee, 'Did you hear that?'
England players were subjected to "abhorrent racist chanting" during the match, the Football Association said via Twitter it added: "This is unacceptable at any level of the game and our immediate focus is supporting the players and staff involved.
"As we are sadly aware, this is not the first time our players have been subjected to this level of abuse and there is no place for this kind of behaviour in society, let alone in football. We will be asking @UEFA to investigate as a matter of urgency."
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The UEFA protocol involves the referee first halting play and making an announcement to the supporters - which occurred on 28 minutes - to immediately stop racist behaviour.
The second step sees the match suspended for some time and both teams sent to the dressing room if the abuse continues, with another warning given to the fans.
Equality campaigners Kick It Out have asked UEFA why Step Two wasn’t enforced and the match wasn’t abandoned after the racist abuse continued in the second half.
“If @UEFA care at all about tackling discrimination...then points deductions and tournament expulsion must follow.”
Following the racist abuse directed at @England players tonight, we have released a statement: https://t.co/tUPUfF5eOp #KickItOut pic.twitter.com/9lPKK1Wrst— Kick It Out (@kickitout) October 14, 2019
We can confirm that @England players were subjected to abhorrent racist chanting while playing in the #EURO2020 qualifier against Bulgaria.
This is unacceptable at any level of the game and our immediate focus is supporting the players and staff involved.— The FA (@FA) October 14, 2019
Bulgarian racists chanting disgusting filth at England's black players. We should walk off & end the game. Make a stand.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 14, 2019
This drives me mad. If UEFA officials can still hear racist abuse then it’s time to stop the game now. What more is there to monitor? “Ok mate, two more Nazi salutes and you’re out” #England
— Matt Forde (@mattforde) October 14, 2019
Tyrone Mings making his England debut, having to listen to this shite every time he touches the ball and he’s not alone. It’s uncomfortable to watch. Absolutely disgusting. Credit to those players tonight. #BULENG
— Kieran Doody (@kierandoody) October 14, 2019
In the third and final step, the referee decides to abandon the match.
A group of Bulgarian fans left the ground and captain Ivelin Popov spoke to some other supporters during the main interval.
The game at the city's Levski stadium was being played in front of a reduced crowd after UEFA ordered a partial closure due to racist behaviour by their supporters in June's qualifiers against the Czechs and Kosovo.
Racism was a major talking point ahead of the game, with England striker Tammy Abraham indicating last week that the players could act as a group and leave the pitch if subjected to abuse.
Bulgarian supporters made monkey chants at visiting black players when England last travelled to Sofia for a European qualifier in 2011, prompting UEFA to fine the Bulgarian Football Union.
With AAP