The English national football team is close to qualifying for the European Championship 2020. A 6-0 (4-0) win over Bulgaria will give the Englishman a point in the remaining two games against Montenegro and Kosovo, not more of the first two Places in their qualification group can be displaced.
However, the game in the Bulgarian capital Sofia was overshadowed by racist hostilities against England internationals. Referee Ivan Bebek interrupted the match twice in the first half after English officials at the Fourth Official appeared to have complained of racist shouts from Bulgarian spectators.
After almost half an hour Bebek stopped the game for the first time. Only after a loudspeaker announcement, in which threatened to break off the play, the racist hostility should not stop, let the referee continue to play. Shortly before half time the game was interrupted again. This time, England coach Gareth Southgate appeared to have informed the referee team about racist comments from viewers.
Group of spectators leaves the stadium
The referee discussed with officials on the sidelines. On television was then to see how a black-dressed group of spectators left the tribune. Whether the spectators left voluntarily or were asked to do so is unclear. Photos show one of the spectators holding up a shirt that says "No Respect", in line with Uefa's "Respect" campaign.
At the time of the second game interruption it was already 3: 0 for England. Marcus Rashford gave the Three Lions the lead (7th minute), Ross Barkley scored twice (20, 32 '). Shortly after the game was released after the second break, Raheem Sterling hit 4-0 and 5-0 (40 '+ 4', 69 '). Harry Kane scored the final score (85.)
Vadim Ghirda / AP
Raheem Sterling celebrates one of his goals
Uefa writes racism protocol
Even before the match, the English team had feared racist hostility. England striker Tammy Abraham had announced that he would leave the court in case of racist insults. "It does not just affect one person, it affects the whole team," he said. "If we decide that we do not want to stay on the pitch for these reasons, then we go into the cabin as a team."
The Uefa has written a three-stage protocol for the case of racist hostility:
- If the referee is made aware of the fact that players are racially insulted, he interrupts the game and initiates a loudspeaker announcement.
- If the racial hostilities do not stop, the game is suspended for a period of between five and ten minutes. After a second announcement the game is continued.
- Only if the referee is alerted for the third time to such a misconduct of the spectators, the referee is encouraged to cancel the game.
Already in the games against Kosovo and the Czech Republic, the Bulgarian viewers were attracted by racist hostility. That's why parts of the grandstand were closed to England.
