NO SHAME
Gareth Southgate ‘told to f*** off’ by Bulgarian cameraman after condemning thugs who racially abused the England players
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ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate was told to "f*** off" by a Bulgarian cameraman after his post match press conference in Sofia, according to reports.
The Three Lions' 6-0 demolition of Bulgaria was marred by persistent racist abuse aimed at England stars by thugs in the crowd at the Stadion Vasil Levski.
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Following a fiery night in the Bulgarian capital:
- Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings were targeted with sick racist abuse
- Sterling hits back at racists with brilliant Ainsley Harriott GIF tweet
- Marcus Rashford praises captain Ivelin Popov after he begs fans to stop
- Bulgaria boss sensationally claims he didn’t hear racist abuse
- Mings reveals he first heard racial abuse during warm-up
- England fans sing ‘Who put the ball in the racists’ net?’
- Bulgaria FA chief Borislav Mikhailov dramatically resigns
- Bulgarian keeper praises home fans for ‘behaving well’
- Bulgarian stewards 'took off bibs joined in racist abuse'
- England go on to win crucial Euros qualification tie 6-0
And according to Sky Sports reporter , Southgate's press conference was interrupted by a Bulgarian journalist who tried to convince the room the racism witnessed by all wasn't as bad as was being made out.
When the England manager was eventually allowed to finish, a Bulgarian cameraman sat next to Solhekol reportedly told Southgate to "f*** off".
It also emerged today that some stewards took off their bibs and joined in to racially abuse England players, according to football’s official anti-discrimination body.
Employees from Fare, an organisation set up to counter discrimination within the sport, saw “at least” 20 staff joined in with some of offensive chanting.
"VILE RACISM"
Meanwhile, PM Boris Johnson today condemned the "vile racism" and offered the team his "full support".
He was speaking just hours before Borislav Mikhailov, president of the Bulgarian Football Union, dramatically resigned after Prime Minister Boyko Borissov called for him to step down.
Boris said: "The vile racism we saw and heard last night has no place in football or anywhere else.
"I fully support Gareth Southgate and the team for rising above it. Need to see strong swift action from UEFA."
Number 10 will write to UEFA today and said the "deterrent needs to be tough".
A spokesman added: “UEFA need to face up to facts. This stain on football is not being adequately dealt with. Racism and discrimination must be driven out of football once and for all.
“We support the FA’s calls for an urgent investigation with tough penalties to follow.”
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Bulgaria boss Krasimir Balakov had fuelled the fire before the match by claiming that England have a bigger racism problem.
This was despite the nation facing a partial stadium closure due to racism in their matches with the Czech Republic and Kosovo.
He said before kick-off: "I don’t think we have a problem.
“In the Bulgarian championship, we have a lot of players of different ethnicities and skin colour. I don’t think we have this big problem like, for example, England do.”
BLAMED ENGLAND FANS
And Balakov was equally bullish after the match, claiming fans were just unhappy with the team's performance - before going on to criticise England supporters.
He said: "It is probably because the fans were unhappy with the way the team was performing.
"I personally did not hear the chanting.
"I saw that the referee stopped the game but I also have to say that the unacceptable behaviour was not only on the part of the Bulgaria but also the England fans who were whistling and shouting during the national anthem.
"In the second half they were using words against our fans that I find unacceptable."
Group of Bulgarian fans kicked out of the stadium for racist abuse towards England players just before half time
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Meanwhile, the Bulgarian keeper Plamen Iliev praised the home fans for "behaving well" and accused England players of "overreacting".
He said: "If I am honest, I believe they [the fans] behaved well today.
"There wasn’t any abuse [as far as I could hear] and I think they [the England players] overreacted a bit.
"The public was on a good level – I didn’t hear any bad language used towards their or our players."
The referee had to halt play TWICE during the first half because of the abuse - as part of Uefa's new anti racism protocol.
The vile racism we saw and heard last night has no place in football or anywhere else
Boris Johnson
Play was first stopped in the 28th minute, when skipper Harry Kane reported abuse of Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings to the Croatian referee Ivan Bebek.
The match resumed six minutes later after a stadium announcement - but little changed and play was stopped again in the 43rd minute, with Bebek having a length consultation with Southgate.
A group of home fans dressed in black behind a banner reading "Lauta Army" appeared to be the worst offenders - with some spotted making Nazi salute gestures.
The shocking abuse came just five days after Mr Mikhailov insisted the country had no problem with racism.
PM Borissov today demanded Mikhailov resigns after the racist abuse - and was backed by Sterling hours before his resignation just after 2pm.
The Manchester City star said: "A good move, credits to you, Mr Borissov."
There wasn’t any abuse [as far as I could hear] and I think they [the England players] overreacted a bit
Goalkeeper Plamen Iliev
Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov was seen begging home fans at half-time to stop the abuse.
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford later praised Popov, writing on Twitter: "Also been told what the Bulgarian captain did at half-time.
"To stand alone and do the right thing takes courage and acts like that shouldn't go unnoticed."
The match was eventually played to a conclusion without Bebek having to enforce phase three of the Uefa protocol - although sporadic monkey chanting could still reportedly be heard in the second half.
The Three Lions rattled in six goals to eventually rout their hosts 6-0, with Sterling bagging a brace.
And the Manchester City star had his say on Twitter after the match.
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."
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Southgate said after the match: “We have managed to make two statements tonight. One by winning the game and one by raising awareness of the situation.”
Britain's sports minister Nigel Adams last night slammed the "disgusting abuse" and expected "tough action" from UEFA to follow.
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Former England striker Ian Wright slammed Europe’s governing body and stormed: “That says everything you need to know about Uefa. They’ve done nothing.
“We’ve seen a set of people there that have no respect, do not care and need being educated. It just goes to show Uefa for what they are. They’re doing nowhere near enough."
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