This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 14, 2019, England's Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia was marred by racist abuse from the home fans. The match was stopped twice due to the abuse, with Nazi salutes and monkey chants directed at the England players.
England midfielder Jordan Henderson expressed his disgust at the abuse, stating, 'It was disgusting. It shouldn't be happening and something needs to be done about it.'
Despite the abuse, England's players remained focused on the game and went on to win 6-0. Henderson said, 'We let the football do the talking. The message in the dressing room at half-time was we wanted to go out in the second half and make them suffer and make their team suffer on the pitch.'
England defender Tyrone Mings, who made his international debut in the match, reported that the racist abuse started before the game began and continued throughout the first half. He recalled an incident where a home fan turned towards the assistant referee and asked, 'Did you hear that?' after further chants.
England manager Gareth Southgate and his team decided to continue playing despite the abuse, with Henderson explaining, 'If you leave the pitch and stop the game, they win, really.'
