Racism in the match England vs. Bulgaria: "One of the most horrible nights I've seen in football"

The game should have an aftermath. The English FA FA has called for investigations by the Uefa after the racist incidents in the European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia. "Unfortunately, as we know, this is not the first time our players have been affected by this kind of abuse," the FA said in a statement. Greg Clarke, FA chairman, called what was happening at the English away game "one of the most terrifying nights I've ever seen in football."

The game had been interrupted twice in the first half because of racist comments by Bulgarian fans. Referee Ivan Bebek had warned about the stadium announcer before the game ended, discussing with England coach Gareth Southgate. Clarke later reported that the English team decided to continue playing in order to set a mark against racism:

Carl Recine / REUTERS

England coach Gareth Southgate (2nd from left) hugs Raheem Sterling: "I'm incredibly proud of all the players."

"The players came together and said: No, we want to play, we want to win and we do not want the racists to win," Clarke said.

English players had actually threatened to leave the field during racist incidents before the match. But they did not do that. The game ended 6-0 (4-0). Marcus Rashford (7th), Ross Barkley (20th, 32nd), Sterling (45th, 69th) and Harry Kane (85th) scored the goals. England captain Kane said the decision to continue playing: "We wanted to give the answer on the court."

National coach Gareth Southgate said: "We could be criticized for not going far enough, but I think we made an important statement." And Southgate praised his team: "The way we've played under such difficult circumstances has given us a big signal - I do not think a game of this scale has ever been interrupted twice - I'm incredibly proud of all the players and employees . "

Sterling contradicts Bulgaria coach Balakov

On a video posted on Twitter, you can see Southgate hinting at the Monkey sounds from the grandstands against its player Tyrone Mings during the match. And you recognize fans who show the Hitler salute.

This makes you sick to your stomach ... # BULENGpic.twitter.com / rxRSU8FPUP

The English "Guardian" wrote of a "50-man black-clad group", which should have been responsible for much of the racist cries. "The mindless minority has brought shame on Bulgaria," says the article.

National player Raheem Sterling, a champion against racism among the English pros, wrote after the game on Twitter:

Feeling sorry for Bulgaria to be represented by such idiots in their stadium. Anyway .. 6-0 and we go home, at least we did our job. Safe to our fans, u guys did well ❤️

An article by the English BBC, in which the former Bundesliga player and current Bulgarian coach Krassimir Balakov claims that England has a greater problem of racism than his homeland, Sterling commented:

Mmmmh ... Not sure about this one chief https://t.co/Jyjr6vFtA8

During the half-time break Bulgaria's captain Ivelin Popov will have discussed with Bulgarian fans. Maybe to stop the racist statements. Later, England's attacker Rashford said: "I've been told that standing alone and doing the right thing requires courage and should not go unmentioned here."

Even at the European Championship qualifier in Montenegro at the end of March English players were racially insulted. At that time there had been monkey sounds against left-back Danny Rose. The Uefa had then initiated a lawsuit against the Montenegrin federation.

On 26 April, a public lock-up and a fine of € 20,000 was imposed, to which Montenegro lodged an appeal. This one was rejected. Montenegro had to play the home game against Kosovo in May without spectators. Also Sterling had demanded point deductions and ghost games as a punishment.

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.