Bulgarian Racism Overshadows Euro 2020 Qualifier

England's Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria was halted twice as fans were warned about racist behavior including Nazi salutes and monkey chanting.

The first pause came in the 28th minute with England leading 2-0.  A stadium announcement then condemned the abuse before stating the match would be abandoned if it continued.  The game was stopped again in the 43rd minute before restarting after discussions between the referee and England manager Gareth Southgate.  England went on to win 6-0 to strengthen their place at the top of their qualifying group.

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 behavior by their supporters in June's qualifiers against the Czechs and Kosovo.  Racism was also 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 traveled to Sofia for a European qualifier in 2011, prompting UEFA to fine the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) over $40,000..

Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett said he had heard monkey chants on six occasions when England players Tyrone Mings, making his debut, and Marcus Rashford were in possession of the ball.  "I heard one fan clearly shout “Hey, monkey” as Mings passed the ball," he said.

Football Association chairman Greg Clarke was at the game and witnessed the abuse first hand, saying it had left a number of the England players and staff visibly upset.  "I heard examples of appalling racist chanting," he said.  "I was looking at a group of people, all in black - about 50 of them - who were making what looked like political fascist gestures. I couldn't be sure, it was 100 meters away but it looked appalling.

"I've spoken to one or two of the players and I've also spoken to one or two of the team staff, because we don't just have a multiracial team, we have a multiracial team staff.  "They were visibly emotionally upset, and I spoke to Gareth after the game too and I offered him our full support."

A group of Bulgaria supporters wearing black hooded tops - some wearing bandanas covering their faces - started to leave the stadium after the game was halted for a second time. BBC reported that some made right-wing and racist gestures while heading towards the exits.

After six minutes of time added at the end of the first half because of the delay, Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov was seen in a heated debate with a section of home supporters near the tunnel while the rest of the players headed for the dressing rooms for half-time.

AFter the game, the BFU tried to downplay the incident, with Vice President Yordan Lechkov saying, "It's quite disappointing to focus on racism.  It's not serious to concentrate on that if there's a qualifier like this and we're playing against a team like England."

Bulgarian Sports minister Krasen Kralev said the government would suspend relations with the BFU, including financial ties.  Bulgarian Prime Minister called for the BFU's president to resign, saying "It is unacceptable for Bulgaria, which is one of the most tolerant countries in the world, and people of different ethnicities and religions living in peace, to be associated with racism and xenophobia."