England manager Gareth Southgate worries his players may be subjected to abuse when they face Bulgaria in Sofia.
This year, although he was subjected to abuse within a different Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro, raheem Sterling has been the goal of abuse by a Bulgaria enthusiast during England’s 4-0 win at Wembley on Saturday.
Southgate fears the issue could last when England travel to Sofia on October 14.
“Yes, it’s a concern,” he said. “It’s something that we’ve already planned.
“We have already planned our schedule looks like and we’re likely to share it with the players before we proceed, because we’re aware that there’s background there and we ought to be sure we’re all prepared for what might happen and the way we want to react.
“So, we are likely to address that when all of us return together. We did not believe it was right to do it this month since it’s too far off from the matches, but we have to hope… we are not convinced that we will go there and nothing will happen.”
Racism also overshadowed the last trip to Bulgaria in September 2011 of england, with Theo Walcott, Ashley Young along with Ashley Cole exposed to monkey chants.
The Football Union (BFS) was fined #34,000 from UEFA for”discriminatory” chanting and to get the light and casting of fireworks.
The Vasil Levski National Stadium will already be partly closed for the trip in October of England as punishment for its racist behaviour of their supporters in the loss from the Czech Republic in June.
Southgate also has concerns on the behaviour of England fans on the trips to the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
Violence involving a few England fans resisted the current Nations League finals in Portugal and Southgate has urged supporters when abroad, to act.
“It should be a specified – unfortunately it isn’t,” he explained. “Regrettably, we’re going to a place where folks go, travel anyhow for nights out from our nation.
“That which we do not have to view is behavior that I’m fearful happens on our very own high roads, so it is not something that’s only England fans.
“I’m frightened it is a social issue of individuals with alcohol unable to control themselves. But we surely don’t want to be accepting that abroad and that being a representation of our country.”
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