Bulgaria and England’s Euro 2020 qualifying clash in Sofia was marred by racist behaviour in the stands at the Vasil Levski National Stadium.
The first step of UEFA’s anti-racism protocol had to be enacted after England’s Raheem Sterling, Tyrone Mings and Marcus Rashford were booed by sections of the home crowd.
An announcement was made, urging supporters to stop their racist behaviour, after the issue was raised just before the half-hour mark.
Sterling’s England team-mate Mings appeared to gesture to captain Harry Kane about the racist abuse, who then passed the message on to referee Ivan Bebek.
That prompted a UEFA delegate to contact the stadium announcer, who read out a message which ended with the slogan “say no to racism”.
The acts of racism did not end there, though, with England boss Gareth Southgate subsequently speaking to the fourth official about continued abuse.
That report prompted the temporary suspension of the match as Bebek discussed the issue with Southgate as his Three Lions players came over to the touchline.
If the racist behaviour persisted, the second step of UEFA’s protocol instructs the referee to take both sets of players off the field.
Another announcement would then be made, in an attempt to quell the racist behaviour taking place in the stands.
If the racism was then to continue, step three of the protocol dictates that the match would have to be abandoned.
Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov was seen at half-time speaking to some of his country’s fans in the stands.
Southgate, meanwhile, spoke to UEFA officials in the tunnel of the Vasil Levski National Stadium.
A UEFA delegate said: “Because of racist behaviour which is interfering with the game, the referee has indicated he may have to suspend the match.
“Please be in no doubt that the game may be suspended and abandoned if racist behaviour continues.”
Plenty of pre-match concern was focussed on the potential for racist behaviour to be exhibited during Bulgaria and England’s showdown.
England’s Tammy Abraham opened up on the possibility of Southgate’s side staging a walk off if such problems occurred.
