Tammy Abraham: England prepared to walk off over racist abuse

[Brin]

Well done to Popov for staying out and approaching his fans asking them to pack the chanting in.

[millertop]

Arranged mob dressed mainly in black who have now been removed who will probably be waiting outside to kick off at our fans now

[the_idiotb_stardson]

In what way handled appallingly?

First of all loads of respect to Gareth Southgate who before the game was played had the difficult task of trying to smooth over an issue which should have never been anywhere near the press. All this should have been dealt with well away from the glare of the media. Tammy Abraham was very naive to be taken in by the press like that (the press themselves should hang their heads in shame for their part in this) Once the media got hold of it, it obviously dawned on the FA that they had huge gaps in their racism policy especially in respect about players talking to the media about it especially in potentially volatile situations. Every nutcase in Sofia would have made their way down to the stadium tonight because of all the needless publicity. Why couldn't England adhere to the policy and walk off if abuse started without bringing it up in the media first?

I applaud the England players and Southgate if they do go off. No problem with that.

But is clear to me the FA do not have a policy at all about players talking to the media about these issues.

The FA have to thank their lucky stars that they have a leader like Gareth Southgate who had the grace and intelligence to handle the press superbly and do a superb damage limitation job.

[ragingpup]

Well done to Popov for staying out and approaching his fans asking them to pack the chanting in.

Agreed. Good touch. Looks like most of the crap was from the group of ugly buggers with hoods who left on mass before half time. Commentators were asking if they were asked to leave. I thought it logical that they'd just gone to beat the half time queue for a pint.

[ragingpup]

First of all loads of respect to Gareth Southgate who before the game was played had the difficult task of trying to smooth over an issue which should have never been anywhere near the press. All this should have been dealt with well away from the glare of the media. Once the media got hold of it, it obviously dawned on the FA that they had made a massive error. Thankfully Southgate's prematch interviews were incredibly diplomatic give the situation he was in.

It is sickening to hear the abuse. But I really think all the prematch comments by Tammy Abraham were ill advised.

And I blame the FA for that. I applaud the England players and Southgate if they do go off. No problem with that.

But is clear to me the FA do not have a policy at all about players talking to the media about these issues.

The FA have to thank their lucky stars that they have a leader like Gareth Southgate who had the grace and intelligence to handle the press superbly and do a superb damage limitation job.

So you say that just because one young player on his call up gave a target 'off message' personal opinion that "the England players and the FA have handled this issue appallingly."? Not like you to do snowflake hyperbole!

And, all of a sudden, you have a problem with an individual speaking their honest, personal opinion and suggesting that the FA should be enforcing a policy of shutting down their player's free speech. I thought you were against that kind of thing?!

[Brin]

Thought the team performed and handled themselves impeccably. Good performance , well done one and all.

You have to feel for the normal level headed Bulgarian fan who just attended to see their team play. Their team may well suffer further sanctions thanks to the morons who were giving out the abuse and left early.

[flourbasher]

The Bulgarian authorities clearly didnt take this seriously considering they were already under sanctions.
Looking at the TV footage Tango flabby man and the rest of the England fans were surrounded by riot police but there appeared to be none in and around the home fans. Once the abuse starts they should have waded in and stamped it out. Those chavs were about 15 years old and there were only about 100 of them which ruined it for everyone. Place some in other parts of the ground as well to stop it.

It,s not good enough to leave it to the ref, Southgate and Popov to try and sort it out. Abandoning the game is the last resort . Police should have stamped it out first

[ragingpup]

Thought the team performed and handled themselves impeccably. Good performance , well done one and all.

You have to feel for the normal level headed Bulgarian fan who just attended to see their team play. Their team may well suffer further sanctions thanks to the morons who were giving out the abuse and left early.

Yep. Image of the night for me was that long line of hoodied scum bags making their way to the exits after the 2nd stoppage. Looks like the procedure worked very well tonight and well done both sides for keeping cool and playing on. Football won.

[ragingpup]

The Bulgarian authorities clearly didnt take this seriously considering they were already under sanctions.
Looking at the TV footage Tango flabby man and the rest of the England fans were surrounded by riot police but there appeared to be none in and around the home fans. Once the abuse starts they should have waded in and stamp it out. Those chavs were about 15 years old and there were only about 100 of them which ruined it for everyone. Place some in other parts of the ground as well to stop it.

It,s not good enough to leave it to the ref, Southgate and Popov to try and sort it out. Abandoning the game is the last resort . Police should have stamped it out first

Hard to say from TV pictures but something happened to make these idiots leave. Wonder what happened? Anyone any idea? They clearly looked as they were forced out as they were flicking the old 'v' s behind them and didn't come back. Can only assume authorities moved in but didn't see any police matching them out!

[flourbasher]

It may have happened like that but it was way too late. The abuse had been going on for all of the first half leading to two stoppages and they were also given air time on TV before anything was done. Not good enough.

Abuse followed in the second half from other parts of the ground.
Again not good enough