Football takes a backseat as racism rallies in Bulgaria

We should be writing about a dominant England performance. Excellent team goals, team spirit and resilience from a defeat to the Czech Republic. Unfortunately this is not the case.

In life, hindsight takes precedence above logic. We can look back, analyse and evaluate our actions in certain situations, and make a judgement then rather than in the moment. Unquestionably it is the easier route.

I hope this will ring true for the Bulgarian “fans” who decide on totally logic-defying actions in the racist chants, gestures and behaviour they used last night in the 6-0 defeat to England, which not only illuminated what was already the most clear and obvious issue, but worsened it.

Now let’s make this clear. Racism is a huge issue not only in that stadium, that city, Bulgaria as a whole. But in our civilisation. It was only a focal point on Monday which brings more people out talking about the issue.

Where best to begin? Last week perhaps, as England prepared to visit the Vasil Levski Stadium.

Bulgaria vs England, just your typical European Qualifier. The difference being the havoc was forewarned. Gareth Southgate himself even prepared for the protocol and the potential of racism was discussed in his previous press conference. Although he handled it magnanimously,

“Well I say the same as I said the other night in Prague,” said Southgate.

“We are guests in another country and I have always said we have as many issues in own country to resolve than anywhere else.

“Everyone wants us to talk about football, for the players and both teams the same.

“We had to prepare our players for what happened in Montenegro, so that was a process that we needed to go through before our next away fixtures.

“Outside of that, we trust the authorities to make sure everything is in place and everybody involved in the game from both countries is wanting to talk about the match.”

Captain Harry Kane also had his say:

“The most important thing is we are all fully focused on the game tomorrow night, getting the three points and putting us in a great position,”

“We had a meeting at the start of the week on things that could happen but they might not happen. There’s obviously a protocol in place that UEFA have set.

“From my point of view and the players’ point of view, we are here to do a job on the football pitch and hopefully we don’t have to cross that bridge.

“We will see what happens but our full focus is on the game.”

This pre-match prophecy had already caused the anxiety and angst before the game, with the Bulgarian manager Krasimir Balakov suggesting Bulgaria “had no such issues”, although several sections of the crowd had been shut out due to racist abuse to Czech and Kosovan international sides. Didn’t seem to add up, but in his defence the racism he was talking about had not even happened yet.

Mmmmh … Not sure about this one chief https://t.co/Jyjr6vFtA8

— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) October 14, 2019

Perfectly put by Raheem Sterling. And my oh my was the Manchester City winger proven right.

England lined up with several high profile Black players. Sterling himself, Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings and Marcus Rashford. And it wouldn’t take long for the Three Lions to take the lead.

In the seventh minute, football was the winner when Marcus Rashford dashed past the by-line and three Bulgarian defenders to whip into the top right hand corner. A fabulous strike and a perfect start. Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley soon made it two and it became clear of the sides’ superiority.

After 28 minutes the game was halted for the first time. Defender Mings can be seen calling towards the touchline – “can you hear that?”. Kane then got into conversation with the referee, Ivan Bebek of Croatia, whilst a stadium announcement remarked that the chants needed to stop.

The game resumed with England winning 2-0, and it would stop once again at 3-0. After Barkley slotted in his second after 32 minutes, and several chances came England’s way, the game halted for a second time at 44 minutes.

This time it looked as if players wanted to leave the pitch, but as 43 minutes had past, manager Southgate and senior players decided to play on whilst in continuous discussion with match officials After a group of hoodied fans were deported from the ground, play resumed. A good job it did too (well at least in footballing terms) as Kane lay the perfect square ball for Sterling to convert England’s fourth.

Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov had a heated discussion with some Bulgarian fans during the break of tonight’s #BULENG qualifier after the match had been stopped twice for racist chants in the first half pic.twitter.com/8u0a1CGcoa

— mshumanov (@shumansko) October 14, 2019

As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Here is the singular sliver of silver which leaves microscopic hope in the situation. Captain Ivelin Popov’s clear moral compass comes into play, and this had been praised by pundits, fans and players alike including one of the goal scorers Rashford.

The second-half began more slowly football wise, with England not adding to their four goal advantage until minute 69, but from minutes 45-68 you could still hear monkey chants, witness Nazi salutes and the continuation of such mannerisms in the stadium. It was becoming even more of a focal point.

It could’ve been easy for it to be a distraction. But the protocols were followed, Sterling bagged another, and England were continuing to show who was boss on the field of play.

Harry Kane finished after being involved in the majority of the goals, and England ran out 6-0 winners. But after the final whistle, everyone was eager to hear the thoughts of all of the England players and manager for their opinion on the situation, and Balakov’s reaction or defence of the issue.

Gareth Southgate commented:

“We had to prepare for this eventuality. The most important thing was the players and staff knew what we were going to do and were in agreement.

Nobody should have to experience what our players did. We followed the protocol. We gave two messages – one that our football did the talking and two, we stopped the game twice.

“That might not be enough for some people but we are in that impossible situation that we can’t give everyone what they want. But we gave the players what they wanted and the staff what that they wanted.

Remarkably, after what we have been through, our players walked off smiling and that’s the most important thing for me. Not one player wanted to stop, they were absolutely firm on that.”

Perhaps, what is more disappointing is the lack of empathy and acceptance from certain members of Bulgarian football.

In Bulgarian newspapers the day after, there was a lack of coverage. It was as almost if they were attempting to use paper to cover the cracks. Many also felt the English had “gone over the top” with their accusations regarding racism.

This was embodied by Bulgarian manager Krasimir Balakov, who denied he heard the abhorrent and obvious racist chanting:

“This has not happened to us before.

“We’ve had this problem ever since England were about to come to Bulgaria and all I’ve heard for three weeks is people talking about anything else but football. I don’t think this was the proper manner to prepare and play a football game.

“If this turns out to be true we are truly sorry and we as the Bulgarian Football Union and the Bulgaria national team are working very hard.”

Racism in football will continue to occur. We will continue to be outraged. But when will there be a change? Not until it is dealt with harshly.

No one has anything against Bulgaria as a country. But those few have tarnished an entire nation’s reputation. Until they have felt the catharsis of their country, they will continue with their abhorrent acts until their dying day.

Its up to UEFA. Its up to you. #NoToRacism.