Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has taken to social media to condemn the racist abuse England suffered in Bulgaria on Monday night.
England took a giant stride towards Euro 2020 as they bounced back from Friday’s shock loss in the Czech Republic, yet this will match will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Nazi salutes and racist chanting marred Monday’s thumping 6-0 win in Bulgaria, where Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane goals complemented braces from Ross Barkley and Sterling as the players showed great dignity in finishing the match.
Retweeting a news article in which Bulgaria coach Krasimir Balakov accused England of having a bigger racism problem than his own country, Sterling commented after the match: “ Mmmmh … Not sure about this one chief.”
He added: “Feeling sorry for Bulgaria to be represented by such idiots in their stadium. Anyway.. 6-0 and we go back home, at least we did our job. Safe travel to our fans, u guys did well”
1/12
Here are some of the most notable responses.
PA
2/12 England forward Raheem Sterling
“Feeling sorry for Bulgaria to be represented by such idiots in their stadium. Anyway.. 6-0 and we go back home, at least we did our job. Safe travel to our fans, u guys did well.”
Getty Images
3/12 England boss Gareth Southgate
“We know it is an unacceptable situation. 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.”
AFP via Getty Images
4/12 FA chairman Greg Clarke
“I would like to see a very stringent review by UEFA because I know they take racism very seriously. If we say ‘we’ve got zero tolerance for racism’, one person making monkey chanting noises is the same as 100 – zero tolerance is zero tolerance.”
AFP/Getty Images
5/12 England striker Marcus Rashford
“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.”
Action Images via Reuters
6/12 England debutant Tyrone Mings
“Hopefully the higher powers will deal with the incidents that happened, we couldn’t do much more on the pitch.”
Getty Images
7/12 MP David Lammy
“Monkey chants and Nazis salutes from Bulgarian fans is utterly deplorable. England players should not have to put up with this kind of vile abuse. UEFA must act and kick them out of international football altogether.”
PA
8/12 Former England defender Rio Ferdinand
“Will there even be a punishment? What type of punishment…. Will this show us how serious racism is taken by the powers that be?”
PA
9/12 England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
“Good win under difficult circumstances. There is absolutely no place for scenes like that. Proud of the team tonight.”
UEFA via Getty Images
10/12 England defender Harry Maguire
“The best way to bounce back. Proud of the team. There’s no place in football for that – disgraceful behaviour. Something must be done.”
Getty Images
11/12 Former England captain Gary Lineker
“Gareth Southgate has shown, once again, under trying circumstances what a sound, measured and intelligent leader he is. We’ve got the right man in charge of our young team at the right time.”
EPA
12/12 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
“Solidarity with the England players who faced appalling racism tonight. UEFA needs to do far more to tackle this kind of abuse.”
EPA
1/12
Here are some of the most notable responses.
PA
2/12 England forward Raheem Sterling
“Feeling sorry for Bulgaria to be represented by such idiots in their stadium. Anyway.. 6-0 and we go back home, at least we did our job. Safe travel to our fans, u guys did well.”
Getty Images
3/12 England boss Gareth Southgate
“We know it is an unacceptable situation. 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.”
AFP via Getty Images
4/12 FA chairman Greg Clarke
“I would like to see a very stringent review by UEFA because I know they take racism very seriously. If we say ‘we’ve got zero tolerance for racism’, one person making monkey chanting noises is the same as 100 – zero tolerance is zero tolerance.”
AFP/Getty Images
5/12 England striker Marcus Rashford
“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.”
Action Images via Reuters
6/12 England debutant Tyrone Mings
“Hopefully the higher powers will deal with the incidents that happened, we couldn’t do much more on the pitch.”
Getty Images
7/12 MP David Lammy
“Monkey chants and Nazis salutes from Bulgarian fans is utterly deplorable. England players should not have to put up with this kind of vile abuse. UEFA must act and kick them out of international football altogether.”
PA
8/12 Former England defender Rio Ferdinand
“Will there even be a punishment? What type of punishment…. Will this show us how serious racism is taken by the powers that be?”
PA
9/12 England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
“Good win under difficult circumstances. There is absolutely no place for scenes like that. Proud of the team tonight.”
UEFA via Getty Images
10/12 England defender Harry Maguire
“The best way to bounce back. Proud of the team. There’s no place in football for that – disgraceful behaviour. Something must be done.”
Getty Images
11/12 Former England captain Gary Lineker
“Gareth Southgate has shown, once again, under trying circumstances what a sound, measured and intelligent leader he is. We’ve got the right man in charge of our young team at the right time.”
EPA
12/12 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
“Solidarity with the England players who faced appalling racism tonight. UEFA needs to do far more to tackle this kind of abuse.”
EPA
Tyrone Mings, another one of the targets for the abuse, admitted what should have been a special personal landmark was tarnished.
“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,” he told ITV.
“I thought we showed a great response, a good togetherness and ultimately we let the football do the talking.
“Hopefully the higher powers will deal with the incidents that happened, we couldn’t do much more on the pitch.”
