England director Gareth Southgate worries his players might be subjected to racial abuse once they confront Bulgaria at Sofia.
Before this season, although he was subjected to abuse in another Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro, raheem Sterling had been the goal of abuse from a Bulgaria enthusiast during England triumph at Wembley on Saturday.
Southgate fears the issue could continue when England traveling to Sofia on October 14.
“Yes, it is a concern,” he explained. “It is something which we’ve already planned.
“We have already planned what our schedule looks like and we are going to talk about it with the players before we go, because we’re aware that there’s history there and we need to be certain we’re all ready for what could happen and exactly how we would like to respond.
“So, we are likely to address that when all of us get back together. We didn’t think it was correct to do this month as it’s too much off from the games, but we have to expect… we’re not confident that we will go there and nothing else will occur.”
The last trip to Bulgaria in September 2011 of england was overshadowed by racism, with Theo Walcott, Ashley Young along with Ashley Cole exposed to monkey chants through a Euro 2012 qualifier.
The Football Union (BFS) was only fined #34,000 from UEFA for”discriminatory” chanting and to get its lighting and throwing of fireworks.
The Vasil Levski National Stadium will already be partly closed as punishment for its behaviour of the supporters in the loss in the Czech Republic in June for England’s visit in October.
Southgate has concerns over the conduct of England fans on the trips to the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
Violence involving some England fans resisted the Nations League finals in Portugal and Southgate has encouraged supporters to behave when overseas.
“It should be a given – sadly it is not,” he said. “Sadly, we’re going to some place where folks go, travel anyway for nights out from our country.
“What we don’t need to view is behavior that I’m afraid happens on our own high streets, so it is not something that is only England fans.
“I’m fearful it is a social issue of individuals with alcohol unable to restrain themselves. But we surely do not need to be taking that overseas and that being a rendering of our nation.”
Read more here: http://www.fortoli.cn/?p=21034