FIFA Match Suspended Over Nazi Salutes, Racist Chants

Reuters reports:

The Euro 2020 qualifier between Bulgaria and England was twice halted by the match referee in the first half on Monday under a three-step UEFA protocol to tackle racist abuse from the crowd. Britain’s Sky Sports television said racist chanting was heard from the stands and reported by England players to manager Gareth Southgate, with the referee informed and a public announcement made while play was stopped.

Monkey chants could be heard in the stadium on several occasions, specifically when black England players Tyrone Mings and Marcus Rashford had the ball, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett. The referee who halted play was following a new UEFA protocol calling for play to be interrupted so an announcement to fans could be made to immediately stop any racist behavior. England won the Group A match 6-0.

Utterly gross. Bulgaria fans doing Nazi salutes during game against England, a match blighted by vile racism #BULENG https://t.co/nfmU9ti9FD pic.twitter.com/W5lUOnFs6A

— Joseph Willits (@josephwillits) October 14, 2019

Fucking Nazi signs? Monkey chants? Kick Bulgaria out of every single football competition for the next four years, including Bulgarian club football out of Europa, any competition, absolute disgrace it makes me feel sick #Notoracism

— SarahLucy318 (@SarahReeve1) October 14, 2019