England win Euro 2020 qualifier marred by racist chants and Nazi salutes

England’s Euro 2020 qualifier was temporarily halted twice in the first half after racist chanting from the stands.

Gareth Southgate’s side took on Bulgaria in Sofia but the first half was interrupted twice to deal with “monkey” chants coming from home fans.

UEFA’s anti-racism protocol took place in the 28th minute of the match, with a stadium announcement condemning racist abuse.

It also stated the referee would stall or abandon the match should it continue.

Sky Sports News reported that fans were booing when England’s Raheem Sterling was on the ball as well as Tyrone Mings, who made his England debut tonight in Bulgaria. Marcus Rashford was also subject to abuse.

During the first half, Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett in Bulgaria said: “I’ve heard clear monkey chants on six separate occasions in last 10 mins when Mings and Rashford have been on the ball. I heard one fan clearly shout, ‘Hey, monkey’ as Mings passed the ball. Abuse coming from small groups of fans in home end, it’s not widespread.

“England players clearly heard it and followed UEFA protocols, with captain Harry Kane reporting it to the referee, while Gareth Southgate has spoken to the fourth official.

“A stadium announcement, which warned fans that the game may be abandoned if the abuse continues, was met with loud booing from Bulgaria fans during announcement. Bulgaria captain (Ivelin) Popov came over to talk to stewards and appeal for fans to stop.”

Nazi salutes were also seen in sections of the home fans.

The match was already being played at reduced capacity because of previous racist incidents.

In the second half, Sky Sports News reporters said there were at least two incidents of racism within 10 minutes.

After the first incident Harry Kane, England captain, spoke to referee Ivan Bebek, while Southgate spoke to a number of players as the announcement was made.

A large group of fans were seen leaving the stadium as the first half was due to come to a close, during the second suspension.

The fans are understood to be Bulgaria supporters, and were mostly dressed in black hoodies.

It is not clear if they left of their own volition or were asked to leave the stadium.

England responded by making it 4-0 before the break, in part thanks to six minutes of added time to compensate for the stoppages.

It is understood two of the three stages of the UEFA anti-racism protocol were implemented, which meant the match was at risk of being abandoned.

Pictures showed Bulgaria’s captain Ivelin Popov in a heated debate with his home fans during half time.

Greg Clarke, chairman of the FA, and Les Reed, FA technical director, spent the second half pitchside to offer support should it be needed.

Having missed a couple of early opportunities in the second half, Sterling made it 5-0 in the 69th minute and Harry Kane added another to the scoreline in the 85th.

During the second half, Sky Sports News reporter Dorsett said: “Remember this game is being played with a reduced capacity, 5,000 fewer seats, because Bulgaria’s fans were guilty of racist abuse on two occasions in June, against Kosovo and the Czech Republic, one at home, one away.

“So this is the third time we’ve seen that. They’ve had problems in club games as well.

“[In the pre-match press conference] I asked the Bulgarian manager, ‘Is there a problem with racism in Bulgarian football?’ and he laughed and said, ‘Categorically no.’

“And he pointed the finger at England and said there are bigger problems with racism in English football at every level. ‘We haven’t had a recent incident of racism’. June, in my book, is pretty recent. Now it’s happened tonight.

“I’ve seen it, I’ve heard it and it was disgusting and the way the England players have conducted themselves in response is admirable.

“But the ball is in UEFA’s court after this. The Bulgarian FA will have to answer questions and so will UEFA – what to do they do about this?”

Before the match in Sofia, it was confirmed that a British man has died after being found in a “helpless condition” in the city centre on Monday morning.

England needed Montenegro to hold Kosovo to a draw or beat them in order to qualify tonight with a win, but Kosovo won 2-0.

But England’s 6-0 scoreline will strengthen their position at the top of their group should it come down to goal difference.

The side’s next match is in a month’s time, when they face Montenegro on 14 November at Wembley Stadium.

After the match an FA spokesman: “The FA can confirm that England players were subjected to abhorrent racist chanting while playing in the EURO 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria. 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.”

Minister for sport Nigel Adams said he expects “tough action” from UEFA, adding “the England players have my full support”.

After the match, Sterling retweeted Piers Morgan, who spoke of the player’s “sublime talent” and added a gif of chef Ainsley Harriott saying “delightful”.

The Man City player also said he felt sorry for the Bulgarian players “to be represented by such idiots in their stadium”.

Rashford wrote on Twitter: “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.

“Thankful to the brilliant England support. You got behind us in the most meaningful way possible tonight and we are all very grateful. Have a safe journey home and take care.

“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”.

Southgate called the situation “unacceptable” and told ITV: “I think we have managed to make two statements by winning the game but also we have raised the awareness of everyone to this situation.

“The game was stopped twice and I know for some people that won’t be enough but I think as a group we were on board with that process.”

Mings said: “It was a great occasion, I made my England debut, but it was slightly overshadowed by a few disappointing chants which were clear to hear on the pitch.

“I thought we showed a great response, a good togetherness and ultimately we let the football do the talking.”

FA chairman Mr Clarke said he wants to see a “stringent review” by UEFA, adding: “We have to address that at UEFA but, to be perfectly frank, we need to address it in England. We shouldn’t take the moral high ground.”

UEFA told ITV a statement on the abuse and subsequent action would not be released this evening.

(c) Sky News 2019: England win Euro 2020 qualifier marred by racist chants and Nazi salutes