'I did not hear the chanting... the unacceptable behaviour was from ENGLAND fans': Bulgaria manager Krasimir Balakov issues staggering denial over racist taunting during Euro 2020 qualifier

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Bulgaria boss Krasimir Balakov insisted he did not hear any racist chanting from his nation's supporters and slammed England fans for interrupting the Bulgaria national anthem in a staggering denial on Monday evening.

This is despite monkey noises aimed at England defender Tyrone Mings and forward Raheem Sterling being clearly heard at the ground and on television - to the extent where the game was twice brought to a halt.

Balakov told ITV: 'I personally did not hear the chanting you are most probably referring to. I saw that the referee stopped the game.' 

Bulgaria boss Krasimir Balakov insists he did not hear any racist chanting from his nation's fans during Monday's match

Bulgaria boss Krasimir Balakov insists he did not hear any racist chanting from his nation's fans during Monday's match

Before the match Gareth Southgate said he had spoken to his players about how they would react to any potential racist abuse

There were two breaks in play in Sofia after racist chanting was reported to the match officials. Bulgaria fans are pictured making monkey noises

Balakov told ITV: 'I personally did not hear the chanting you are most probably referring to. I saw that the referee stopped the game'

A fan holds up a No Respect jumper, a reference to UEFA's Respect campaign which encourages equality in football

A fan holds up a No Respect jumper, a reference to UEFA's Respect campaign which encourages equality in football

Fans in black wore clothes which had 'ultras' and 'hooligans' printed on them, before a mass walk-out before half-time

Fans in black wore clothes which had 'ultras' and 'hooligans' printed on them, before a mass walk-out before half-time 

Hordes of Bulgarian fans in black hoodies and shirts which said 'hooligans from Sofia' left the stadium after warnings over their behaviour

Hordes of Bulgarian fans in black hoodies and shirts which said 'hooligans from Sofia' left the stadium after warnings over their behaviour

Gareth Southgate and his players spoke to the referee about the offensive chants they heard from the stands

Gareth Southgate and his players spoke to the referee about the offensive chants they heard from the stands

Self-described 'hooligans from Sofia' dressed in black and had their faces covered during the match

Self-described 'hooligans from Sofia' dressed in black and had their faces covered during the match

UEFA'S THREE-STEP PROTOCOL 

1 - The referee will speak to the stadium announcer and demand the halting of racist behaviour.

2 - If it continues, the referee can take the players off the field into the dressing rooms for a period of time and the stadium announcer will make another address.

3 - If it still continues, the match will be abandoned.

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The events of England's 6-0 win over Bulgaria on Monday night:


  • The game was halted TWICE as home fans abuse black players, brandish 'No Respect' shirts and make Nazi salutes in planned racist onslaught
  • Tyrone Mings reveals vile chants started before kick-off in Bulgaria
  • Marcus Rashford praises 'courage' of Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov for appealing to fans at half-time to stop racist taunting of England players
  • England boss Gareth Southgate considered taking his players off the pitch against Bulgaria as FA chairman Greg Clarke condemns racist taunting
  • Ian Wright says England players taking action against racism made him 'feel really good'
  • Raheem Sterling calls out Bulgaria coach Krasimir Balakov for saying England have a bigger racism problem than his own country and posts funny Ainsley Harriott meme in response to Piers Morgan hailing his performance in face of vile racist abuse
  • UEFA will use evidence from specialist 'spotters' in the crowd and TV footage to prosecute after Bulgarian fans' appalling racist taunts 

Balakov added: 'But I also have to say the unacceptable behaviour was not only on behalf of the Bulgaria fans but also the England fans who were whistling and shouting during the Bulgaria national anthem and during the second half they used words against our fans which I find unacceptable.

'To be honest this has not happened to us before. The disciplinary measures by UEFA were not because of racist chanting but because of a banner from an organisation which is not forbidden by Bulgarian law. 

'We have had this problem since England were going to come to Bulgaria. For three weeks I have heard anything else but football and I don't think this is the proper manner to prepare and play a football game because over three weeks everybody was talking about one thing.

'If this turns out to be true, we are truly sorry. The Bulgaria national team and the Bulgaria football union are working very hard and no one wants to see this. 

'But let me tell you this really has never happened before in our games up until now. 

England's Raheem Sterling was a target for much of the abuse with reporters inside the stadium hearing monkey noises and jeers directed at him

England's Raheem Sterling was a target for much of the abuse with reporters inside the stadium hearing monkey noises and jeers directed at him

Players and manager Gareth Southgate gather around the match referees to alert them about the horrific abuse the black players were being subjected to

Players and manager Gareth Southgate gather around the match referees to alert them about the horrific abuse the black players were being subjected to

Gareth Southgate consoled England striker and goalscorer Marcus Rashford as he left the field after being substituted having previously been targeted with abuse

Gareth Southgate consoled England striker and goalscorer Marcus Rashford as he left the field after being substituted having previously been targeted with abuse

Rashford, who scored England's opening goal with a fine finish, said he was 'proud we rose above it' and said it was not an incident that should happen in 2019

Rashford, who scored England's opening goal with a fine finish, said he was 'proud we rose above it' and said it was not an incident that should happen in 2019

Raheem Sterling, who scored twice tonight, posted an Ainsley Harriott meme as he agreed with Piers Morgan that there is 'no sweeter way' to show up the Bulgarians than having a black England player 'destroy their team with his sublime talent'

Raheem Sterling, who scored twice tonight, posted an Ainsley Harriott meme as he agreed with Piers Morgan that there is 'no sweeter way' to show up the Bulgarians than having a black England player 'destroy their team with his sublime talent'

Raheem Sterling took aim at the Bulgaria coach

He also took aim at the Bulgaria coach who said England had a bigger racism problem than his own country

'If something can be proven, then we are sorry but we cannot speak on behalf of some fans.'

England's black players silenced racist fans in Bulgaria with a 6-0 rout after the match had to be halted twice by the referee.

Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling scored while Tyrone Mings enjoyed a fine debut in defence, despite all three being targeted by jeering, monkey chants and Nazi salutes from the home fans.

THE LAUTA ARMY

The hooded group of racist thugs, who marred Monday night's victory for England in Bulgaria, identify as the Lauta army.

Members of the group directed vile racist abuse towards England's black players and were also seen making the Nazi salute during the Euro 2020 qualifier.

The hooligan organisation are heavily linked to football team Lokomotiv Plovdiv, who compete in Bulgaria's top-flight.

Plovdiv's stadium is situated in the Lauta park, hence the name of the gang.

The Lauta army have been involved in organised violence for over 25 years and are known to wear all black during fights with rival gangs and football fans.

There are several videos on YouTube of the Lauta army clashing with supporters of Lokomotiv Plovdiv's fierce rivals Botev - one of which shows them chasing the Botev fans down the motorway and making them surrender after they refused to meet for an organised fight.

Extreme violence has become a staple of the Plovdiv derby. In 2009, players and coaches from both teams started fighting after the final whistle while fans invaded the pitch, throwing bottles and smoke bombs.

Fights involving the Lauta army at Lokomotiv games has resulted in the club being fined and forced to play behind closed doors on numerous occasions in the past.

The Lauta army often cause trouble on Lokomotiv game days, and have previously attacked police and rival fans with bats and tried to storm into away sectors.

By Jordan Seward 

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England all but ensured their qualification for Euro 2020 with a comprehensive 6-0 victory on Monday evening

England all but ensured their qualification for Euro 2020 with a comprehensive 6-0 victory on Monday evening

England's forward Harry Kane speaks with the referees during a temporary interruption in the first half of the qualifier

England's forward Harry Kane speaks with the referees during a temporary interruption in the first half of the qualifier

Bulgaria have previously been sanctioned by UEFA and they were ordered to leave 5,000 seats empty tonight as a punishment for previous abuse against Kosovo

Bulgaria have previously been sanctioned by UEFA and they were ordered to leave 5,000 seats empty tonight as a punishment for previous abuse against Kosovo

Bulgarian fans with hoods and face masks, some of them with 'hooligans' printed on their shirts, head for the exits after the second stoppage

Bulgarian fans with hoods and face masks, some of them with 'hooligans' printed on their shirts, head for the exits after the second stoppage

England fans responded to the racism with loud cheers for their players and a rousing rendition of the national anthem

England fans responded to the racism with loud cheers for their players and a rousing rendition of the national anthem

A hooded Bulgaria fan watches on before a large group walked out en masse after the second stoppage in play in the first half

A hooded Bulgaria fan watches on before a large group walked out en masse after the second stoppage in play in the first half

Before the match Gareth Southgate said he had spoken to his players about how they would react to any potential racist abuse

Gary Lineker praised Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov for pleading with the fans at half-time to stop with their abuse

Gary Lineker praised Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov for pleading with the fans at half-time to stop with their abuse

England captain Harry Kane spoke to referee Ivan Bobek as game was stopped the first time

England and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard tweeted an image of a black and white Three Lions crest, calling it a 'shameful' night

England and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard tweeted an image of a black and white Three Lions crest, calling it a 'shameful' night

Despite the Bulgarian FA rubbishing Gareth Southgate's concerns about racism before the Euro 2020 qualifier, it took just 27 minutes for official Ivan Bebek to stop the game for the first time, after Mings had alerted one of his assistants to the abuse.

The referee implemented the first stage of UEFA's three-step protocol, involving a statement being read out over the PA system, warning supporters stop their behaviour. 

There was later another stoppage moments before half-time, but England's players insisted they wanted to finish the half.

KICK IT OUT CHIEF EXECUTIVE ROISIN WOOD RESPONSE

'I think more does need to be done,' she told Radio 4 on Tuesday morning.

'I absolutely applaud Gareth and the England team dignity that they showed 

'There may have been less in the second half, but it was still there.

'If its zero tolerance its zero tolerance. 

'That's absolutely flouting to UEFA their own campaign.

'I think there has to be a massively thorough investigation.

'Expulsion, not enter tournament. There has to be a clear message, it's 2019.

'You wouldn't expect it in your workplace.'

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Tyrone Mings (centre) making his debut for England, was the first player to report the abuse which led to the first stoppage

Tyrone Mings (centre) making his debut for England, was the first player to report the abuse which led to the first stoppage

Tyrone Mings thanked the England fans for their support at the end of the match after being on the end of the horrific abuse

Tyrone Mings thanked the England fans for their support at the end of the match after being on the end of the horrific abuse

Tyrone Mings said he was 'very proud' despite the 'unfortunate incidents'

Tyrone Mings said he was 'very proud' to make his debut despite the 'unfortunate incidents'

At the end of the match after England's comfortable 6-0 win, manager Gareth Southgate headed to the England fans and applauded them

At the end of the match after England's comfortable 6-0 win, manager Gareth Southgate headed to the England fans and applauded them

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