Bulgarian FA slams England boss Southgate over racism concerns

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Bulgarian FA slams England boss Southgate over racism concerns

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - England v Bulgaria - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - September 7, 2019 England manager Gareth Southgate REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo

 

SOFIA (Reuters) - The president of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Borislav Mihaylov has expressed his indignation and disappointment over comments by England manager Gareth Southgate about the prospect of racism at next month's Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia.

 

Southgate, who plans to consult his players before the Oct. 14 game, said he feared they could face racial abuse in Bulgaria after an away fan allegedly targeted winger Raheem Sterling when the teams met at Wembley last Saturday.

 

The FA said an individual was ejected from the stadium for "discriminatory abuse" during England's 4-0 win.

 

But in a statement https://bfunion.bg/news/46366/0 on its website on Friday, the BFU said such concerns were "groundless, inappropriate and unnecessary".

 

In a letter sent to European soccer's governing body UEFA and the FA, former Bulgaria goalkeeper Mihaylov said: "We have not received any official information regarding discriminatory language used by a Bulgarian supporter at Wembley Stadium.

 

"Even if this were the case, however, we believe that generalisations and the creation of needless tension by official members of the English team is absolutely unacceptable and in contradiction with the spirit of mutual respect and fair play, the core values of both UEFA and the BFU."

 

England top Group A with a maximum 12 points from four games, while Bulgaria are bottom with two from five matches.

 

UEFA has ordered the BFU to partially close the Vasil Levski national stadium for England's visit after supporters were found guilty of racist behaviour in matches earlier this year.

 

Bulgarian supporters made monkey chants at the visiting black players when England last travelled to Sofia in 2011, prompting UEFA to fine the BFU 40,000 euros (£35,468).

 

(Writing by Ken Ferris; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-09-14

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[bizboi]

Oh no…he’s hit the post again!!

[twocatsmac]

So Southgate managed to ensure a few Hungarian idiots showed up to single out some of his team for abuse. 

Englands previous game saw 14 English idiots arrested for vandalism and fighting before the match started. 

This was after the English FA had asked to move the fixtures date away from the weekend because English fans like to get drunk at weekends and they couldn’t be trusted. 

Then English fans in time honoured fashion proudly booed the Hungarian anthem prior to the kickoff. 

Im not condoning racist chanting but if the English FA are so concerned about name calling and banter within the game then start with the home grown idiots first. 

Incidentally, the worst abuse I ever witnessed was from English fans towards two non coloured players, Beckham and Terry. 

All this against against the backdrop of the Rugby World Cup, I agree with many of my Aussie mates that say, footballs a game for Sheilas’ 

 

[IvorLott]

11 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

So Southgate managed to ensure a few Hungarian idiots showed up to single out some of his team for abuse. 

Quote

Then English fans in time honoured fashion proudly booed the Hungarian anthem prior to the kickoff. 

Seriously? Re-read the article very carefully before spouting nonsense, idiot....

[sanemax]

54 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

This was after the English FA had asked to move the fixtures date away from the weekend because English fans like to get drunk at weekends and they couldn’t be trusted

England had to play two games within a few days of the week-end and so Friday and Monday were the two contentment days , as the players need to get back to their clubs as soon as possible

[RickG16]

Just curious.... is there no footage anywhere of these chants taking place? And if it was a small minority, what is the cut off point for walking off. If 5 fans chant is that OK? What about if it is one guy shouting racist abuse? Can the team still walk off?

[twocatsmac]

Hit the nerve (truth) eh?  Feel the need to get personal. 

 

[smokie36]

2 hours ago, twocatsmac said:

Hit the nerve (truth) eh?  Feel the need to get personal. 

 

 

I doubt you'll find anyone on here who believes England's fans are saints.

 

And no I'm not English.