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By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer in Prague
England director Gareth Southgate says he understands the Bulgarian football authorities fury at proposals racism could overshadow the Euro 2020 qualifier of Monday.
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham said on Wednesday Englands players will be prepared to walk away whenever they suffered abuse that directed at them during the qualifier in Montenegro of March.
Southgate, talking in Prague before Fridays meeting with the Czech Republic, has held a meeting explaining to handling such episodes the official Uefa protocol – but Englands concerns prompted an angry response.
In an letter to Uefa, he predicted Englands remarksthe unfair branding of local audiences as people inclined to discriminatory behaviour.
Mondays match against Bulgaria is going to be played at a stadium that is closed, with 5,000 of those 46,000 seats to be left racist behaviour by Bulgaria lovers against Kosovo and the Czech Republic in June, something Mihaylov does not address in his letter.
But, Southgate said:I could totally understand why the Bulgarian president believes as he does because we have only been reacting honestly to questions we have been requested.
That was relayed to Bulgaria in whatever manner its been relayed and the way its been pitched might seem provocative, or that we are the folks laying the topic on the table.
Therefore, if I had been him, and I was only reading those quotes rather than understanding the context of why what were mentioned and the answers, then I would feel probably as he does.
We arent trying to create a scenario in any way, away from it. Were all hoping that within the next 72 hours we are just talking about two soccer matches.
I believe both countries would have a strong desire for that and I must say we do not look at other nations in a way that we dont shine a mirror independently.
Southgate stated:What happened in Hartlepool a few weeks ago was probably worse than things I have heard or seen about in many other countries on earth. So, I believe we must be somewhat careful in how we cover everything.
There were allegations of abuse at a game between Hartlepool United and Dover Athletic in September.
Uefa protocol decrees in case of chanting the participant will ask for a statement to be broadcast in the arena, and if he doesnt stop or she will take off the players, originally if needed.
Southgate added:The most important thing for me personally was that each one the players and each one of the staff understand theyre supported, that were together on every issue moving forward and then of course, inevitably, since weve endured a scenario in Montenegro, we desired to be clear what might happen if something else happened later on.
Were very clear on that. Theres obviously the Uefa procedure and we will need to have faith in this procedure.
Lately, a match has been discontinued in Italy because of that and then whatever is hypothetical because we do not understand the problem that well be in as a staff, or Ill be a supervisor. However, we are very clear in terms of each one. We need the players to be able to focus on football. They would like to be judged on their soccer and what Ive got to do is provide a safe and secure environment to play
England striker Raheem Sterling admitted that the squad werent prepared but now there has to be faith in Uefas system.
He explained:With the situation that occurred in Montenegro, I do not feel as a team we were very prepared and understanding that there was a protocol set up.
We had a meeting for a group and Gareth sat down and clarified Uefas protocol and today, as gamers, weve got to provide Uefa a chance to take that obligation on board and deal with the situation. However, yes, Ive full liberty in Uefa.
England have maximum points and success at Prague on Friday will affirm qualification for Euro 2020.
Read more here: http://www.olcayreklam.com/?p=26954