Uefa’s three-step protocol to tackle racism in football was put to the test in Sofia on Monday night as England players were targeted with sickening abuse from sections of home support.
Gareth Southgate briefed his squad on the procedure ahead of the Euro 2020 qualifier in the Bulgarian capital, with its first step enforced after just 28 minutes when Tyrone Mings was targeted with abuse on his international debut.
Uefa protocol states its first step is to: “Stop the match and instruct the stadium authorities to read out an announcement, calling upon the spectators to stop the discriminatory behaviour.”
Step two continues: “If this announcement does not have the desired effect, make another announcement, suspend the match and send the players to their dressing rooms for a specific period.”
And finally, step three: “After consultation, abandon the match if the discriminatory behaviour still does not cease or breaks out again.”
Play was stopped again in the 41st-minute on Monday night when England's players were offered the chance to leave the pitch but they opted to forego the second step and play on until half-time, when they decided against abandoning the Euro 2020 qualifier.
Kick It Out however has criticised European football’s governing body for failing to proper implement the third step of its protocol after more abuse in the second period of the game.
“We are encouraged that the protocol was initially enforced by the match officials, but Uefa must explain why players weren’t sent to the dressing room during Step Two, as is clearly stated in the rules. TV footage also clearly shows that racist abuse continued in the second half, so it is unacceptable that Step Three was not enforced. This match should have been abandoned by the officials.”
