England made a powerful statement in Sofia as they delivered the most eloquent response in disgraceful, dispiriting circumstances of racism.
Gareth Southgate’s side, in the sporting context, needed to answer their first loss in 44 qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday – but what they actually achieved went beyond this single game, will be of wider significance, and publicly tackled the scourge that still blights so many areas
of society and the game itself.
It was no surprise that England’s players were subjected to monkey chants and abuse given the toxic build-up to this fixture and the shadow of racism already hanging over the sweeping, dilapidated and typically Eastern European bowl that is the Levski Stadium.
The swathes of empty seats here did not merely reflect a desperately poor Bulgaria team, beaten 6-0 by England in this Euro 2020 qualifier, but also punishment inflicted for racist incidents against Kosovo and the Czech Republic in June.
The pre-match sub-plot to this highly charged occasion was provided by the fine detail of Uefa’s three-pronged protocol on racism, with Gareth Southgate briefing his players in the past week after they were abused in Montenegro in March and aware that it could be enforced here.
Sadly, it was invoked inside 28 minutes on a night as shameful as many long-time observers can remember, even those of us who were present in Podgorica earlier in this qualifying campaign and have experienced it elsewhere.
This was the night the protocol was put to the test – almost to the ultimate point that would have seen an international football match abandoned because of racism.
Some would argue, a point England manager Southgate acknowledged, that England’s players could have made the ultimate statement by walking off but there is the counter-argument that this almost hands some sort of twisted victory to the abusers.
Tyrone Mings, who had a superb England debut in trying personal circumstances, sounded the first note of alarm with a glance over his shoulder after playing a pass, a clear rebuke to a section of Bulgarian support along one side of the arena.
The Uefa guidance decrees that in the event of racist incidents, the referee will instruct the public address announcer to warn the crowd and if it does not stop the players can be taken off, initially temporarily but potentially permanently.
Croatian referee Ivan Bebek stepped in amid clear concerns from Southgate, his players and backroom staff.
The announcement made it clear the game would be abandoned should such behaviour continue and after a second stoppage it looked like the players would leave the field. The discussions were animated, lengthy, impassioned and heavily laced with high emotions. It did look that the game
might not survive until the end.
It now appears only the willingness, determination and level-headedness of England’s players ensured the game was finished, aided by belated action from the stadium authorities.
The protocol, such as it is, worked.
England’s players were offered the option of walking off but unanimously decided to see it through to an outstanding victory and a fine reflection on their character and attitude.
Sitting in this stadium listening to the poison aimed at England’s players, the protocol is clearly not strong enough. The final sanction could be arrived at even quicker. No warnings.
Southgate refused to be drawn on whether the guidelines should be more stringent, expressing his satisfaction that it offered “clarity and protection to the players”.
He was also quick to praise the referee and officials for their handling of this tense situation – but it was also clear that any more serious abuse in the second half would have seen history made in the most shameful fashion.
Repeat offenders, and Bulgaria now fall into this category, must now face the threat of expulsion from major tournaments. The current deterrent is clearly not enough.
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke conducted his own post-match media briefing in the bowels of the stadium – and even then some appeared blind to what they had just witnessed.
Clarke spoke of “one of the most appalling nights I have seen in football” and when he talked about “appalling scenes of terrible racism”, one Bulgarian journalist interrupted with a shout of “exaggeration”.
The same individual later challenged Southgate’s version of events, claiming “the game was so friendly”. This was only one response but demonstrated a degree of delusion and ignorance of what actually occurred that was beyond comprehension.
This balmy October night in Sofia was preceded by a backdrop of England fears of racism and angry responses from the Bulgarian authorities, who insisted their opponents must get their own house in order before criticising others.
Southgate and Clarke made that very point, but this was a disturbing occasion and it is now up to Uefa to show it has the power to ensure it never happens again.
