Gareth Southgate praises England’s ‘major statement’ in face of racial abuse

England manager Gareth Southgate was proud of his players after making a major statement on and off the pitch by refusing to let the racists win in Bulgaria.Monkey chants and Nazi salutes punctuated Englands 6-0 win in Mondays Euro 2020 qualifier at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, where the Football Associations worst fears came to fruition on a night of shame in Sofia.The match became a sideshow and was halted twice as England players received abhorrent abuse, with the first step of UEFAs protocol implemented in the 28th minute as an announcement was made on the public address system. View this post on Instagram 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 @englandA post shared by Raheem Sterling x (@sterling7) on Oct 14, 2019 at 2:20pm PDTThere was another pause in play as half-time approached following more racist behaviour, but play resumed after widespread discussion and the departure of a group of individuals in the home end.Few would have blamed Englands players for refusing to return for the second half, but they did so with great dignity and moved a step closer to Euro 2020 as braces from Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley complemented Marcus Rashford and Harry Kanes efforts.We have prepared for the whole week and maintained communication with all of our players and all of our staff throughout, Southgate said.We made the fourth official aware as soon as we heard anything happen and everybody saw the game stopped and the announcement to the crowd.Not an easy situation to play in and not one which should be happening in 2019. Proud we rose above it to take three points but this needs stamping out. pic.twitter.com/jTnUGOa8z2 Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) October 14, 2019We then werent happy that things were continuing and we made a further complaint and then we had a really open discussion with the referee, the fourth official and the players.The players were very clear, they wanted to get to half-time.We all felt, there were four minutes to be played, to go off for 10 minutes, come back for four, go back off for half-time, wasnt what my players wanted.Throughout this, I know that whatever we do might be perceived as not being enough but I think weve made a major statement.Great performance and Im proud of the togetherness we showed in some disgraceful circumstances. Racism has no place in society or football. It needs stamping out for good. Also a massive congrats to @OfficialTM_3 on a great debut #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/yS9pEFeXie Harry Kane (@HKane) October 14, 2019I think weve made a major statement with the way we played, through such difficult circumstances.I dont think a game of this magnitude has ever been stopped twice.And, in the second half, although I hear that other things were going on, none of us on the pitch or at the side were aware of anything else going on, so the most important thing for me was that we got in at half-time.I discussed with all of the players and the substitutes that everybody was on-board. We knew that if anything happened in the second half, we were off.Very proud moment for me and my family tonight to make my @England debut. The unfortunate incidents in the game were handled as well as possible proud of how we handled it pic.twitter.com/ai1Cn2ZJYI Tyrone Mings (@OfficialTM_3) October 14, 2019The referee had said the same and we knew that if we came off, we probably wouldnt be coming back on.When Ive talked to the players at the end, I think they still feel that theyve been able to make a statement but they also, naturally because they want to be recognised for their football they were playing so well that they didnt want to leave the pitch at that moment. Im sure that will have been part of their thinking.So Im incredibly proud of all of the players and all of the staff. We could be criticised for not going far enough but I think weve made a huge statement and frankly, we were in an impossible situation to get it right to the satisfaction of everybody.FA chairman Greg Clarke called it one of the most appalling nights he has ever seen in football, with the governing body asking UEFA to investigate as a matter of urgency.A Bulgaria fan holds up a No respect slogan (Nick Potts/PA)Southgate was quick to praise referee Ivan Bebek for his role, while the manager spoke to doctor Rob Chakraverty and coach Chris Powell to check he was acting in the right way.This was Englands second Euro 2020 qualifying match marred by racism as players were racially abused in Montenegro but the England manager does not believe this night will leave a psychological scar.Sadly, my players, because of their experiences in our own country, are hardened to racism, Southgate said.I dont know what that says about our society but thats the reality, so that actually saddens me that when I speak to them about it, they are absolutely hardened to it.They are in the dressing room smiling because theyve played so well.Raheem Sterling applauds fans after the final whistle (Nick Potts/PA)They also know theyve made a statement and they want the focus to be on the football.We will recognise theres been an opportunity tonight to raise awareness of this issue. I think that has happened.But Raheem has got the hump with me for taking him off when hes on a hat-trick. So, theyre smiling, theyre smiling.Theyve played well, they know theyve played well. They shouldnt have had to have experienced what they did, but the unity of the dressing room and all of the staff and players sometimes you have to smile through adversity.We all knew we were in a pretty impossible situation so weve tried to navigate it in the best way we could.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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