The Prime Minister of Bulgaria has demanded that the country’s Football Union President, Borislav Mikhailov, step down after England’s players were subjected to incessant racist abuse during Monday night’s Euro 2020 qualifier.

The match was halted twice after several of England‘s players were targeted, with a section of Bulgarian supporters clearly making Nazi symbols in the crowd, and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov says the government intend to freeze all funding and relations with the body until Mikhailov departs his role.

Prior to the match, Mikhailov had been vocal in claiming that England’s public concerns over possible racist abuse were “offensive” and “derogatory”.

Bulgarian minister for sport Krasen Kralev told Bulgarian news site sportal.bg: “A little while ago, the Prime Minister called me urgently. You know that in the last four years, the government has done a lot for the development of Bulgarian football.

“But after the recent events, having in mind the whole state of football, after yesterday’s incidents, the Prime Minister has ordered me from today to suspend any relations with the football union, including financial ones, until the resignation of Borislav Mikhailov.”

England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria Show all 12 1 /12 England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England's players were subjected to racist abuse during Monday night's 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Bulgaria in Sofia.



Here are some of the most notable responses. PA England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England forward Raheem Sterling "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." Getty Images England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England boss Gareth Southgate "We know it is an unacceptable situation. I think we have managed to make two statements by winning the game but also we have raised the awareness of everyone to this situation." AFP via Getty Images England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria FA chairman Greg Clarke "I would like to see a very stringent review by UEFA because I know they take racism very seriously. If we say 'we've got zero tolerance for racism', one person making monkey chanting noises is the same as 100 - zero tolerance is zero tolerance." AFP/Getty Images England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England striker Marcus Rashford "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. Thankful to the brilliant England support. You got behind us in the most meaningful way possible tonight and we are all very grateful. Have a safe journey home and take care. Also been told what the Bulgaria captain did at half-time. To stand alone and do the right thing takes courage and acts like that shouldn't go unnoticed." Action Images via Reuters England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England debutant Tyrone Mings "Hopefully the higher powers will deal with the incidents that happened, we couldn't do much more on the pitch." Getty Images England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria MP David Lammy "Monkey chants and Nazis salutes from Bulgarian fans is utterly deplorable. England players should not have to put up with this kind of vile abuse. UEFA must act and kick them out of international football altogether." PA England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria Former England defender Rio Ferdinand "Will there even be a punishment? What type of punishment.... Will this show us how serious racism is taken by the powers that be?" PA England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford "Good win under difficult circumstances. There is absolutely no place for scenes like that. Proud of the team tonight." UEFA via Getty Images England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria England defender Harry Maguire "The best way to bounce back. Proud of the team. There's no place in football for that - disgraceful behaviour. Something must be done." Getty Images England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria Former England captain Gary Lineker "Gareth Southgate has shown, once again, under trying circumstances what a sound, measured and intelligent leader he is. We've got the right man in charge of our young team at the right time." EPA England suffer racist abuse in Bulgaria Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn "Solidarity with the England players who faced appalling racism tonight. UEFA needs to do far more to tackle this kind of abuse." EPA

Downing Street described the scenes in Bulgaria as “vile” and said that sports minister Nigel Adams was writing to Uefa to demand an urgent investigation.

Prime minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “The racism we saw and heard last night was vile and has no place in football or anywhere else.

“The England players and management showed tremendous dignity, and the Prime Minister commends the players who were targeted for this despicable abuse for their response.

The Bulgaria manager claimed he ‘did not hear’ any racist abuse (EPA)

“Uefa need to face up to facts – this stain on football is not being adequately dealt with. Racism and discrimination must be driven out of football once and for all.

“We support the FA’s calls for an urgent investigation, with tough penalties to follow. We are writing to Uefa today to ask for this to be conducted swiftly.”

FA chairman Greg Clarke labelled it “one of the most appalling nights” he’d witnessed in football, while Gareth Southgate praised his players for making an important “statement” in the face of such sickening behaviour.

“We know it is an unacceptable situation,” he told ITV. “I think we have managed to make two statements by winning the game but also we have raised the awareness of everyone to this situation.