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By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer in Prague
England director Gareth Southgate says that he understands the football authorities fury at suggestions racism could overshadow Mondays Euro 2020 qualifier.
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham stated on Wednesday Englands players will be prepared to walk away if they suffered abuse that was similar to that directed through Marchs qualifier at Montenegro.
Southgate, speaking in Prague before Fridays interview with the Czech Republic, has held a meeting with his players describing to handling such incidents the official three-step Uefa protocol – but Englands worries prompted an angry reaction from BFU president Borislav Mihaylov.
In an letter to Uefa, he called Englands remarksthe unfair branding of local spectators as people prone to discriminatory behaviour.
Mondays game against Bulgaria is going to be played at a stadium, with 5,000 of the 46,000 chairs to be left after racist behaviour by Bulgaria enthusiasts against Kosovo along with the Czech Republic in June, some thing Mihaylov does not address in his letter.
However, Southgate stated:I could totally understand why the Bulgarian president feels as he does since we have purely been responding honestly to questions we have been requested.
That has been relayed to Bulgaria in whatever way its been relayed and the way it has been pitched could seem provocative, or we are the folks laying the topic on the table.
So, if I had been him, and that I was only reading those quotes rather than knowing the context of why what were said and the responses, then I would feel likely as he can.
We are not attempting to make a situation in any way, away from it. We are all hoping that over the next 72 hours we are just talking about two soccer matches.
I think both nations would have a strong desire for that and I must say we dont look at other countries in a manner that we dont glow a mirror in our.
Southgate said:What occurred in Hartlepool a couple of weeks ago was probably worse than things Ive heard or seen about in many different nations on the planet. So, I believe we must be very careful in how we insure everything.
There have been allegations of racist abuse in Dover Athletic in September and a game between Hartlepool United.
Uefa protocol decrees in case of chanting the participant will ask for an announcement to be broadcast at the stadium, and if it doesnt cease he or she will take the players off, originally temporarily but permanently if needed.
Southgate included:The most important thing for me was that each one the players and all of the staff know that theyre supported, that we are together on each issue moving forward and of course, necessarily, since weve endured a situation in Montenegro, we desired to be clear what might happen if something else happened later on.
We are quite clear on that. There is obviously the Uefa process and we need to have faith in this process.
Recently, a game has been stopped in Italy due to that and then whatever is hypothetical because we do not know the problem that well be in as a team, or Ill be a manager. But, were very clear concerning each the staff, what would have to happen. We need the players to have the ability to concentrate on soccer. They would like to be judged in their football and what I have got to do is provide a secure and safe environment to play.
England striker Raheem Sterling confessed that the squad werent ready for the abuse that they received in Podgorica but now there has to be faith in Uefas system.
He said:With the situation that happened in Montenegro, I do not think as a group we were quite prepared and knowing that there was a protocol set up.
We had a meeting as a group and Gareth sat down and clarified Uefas routine and today, as players, weve got to give Uefa an opportunity to take that obligation on board and deal with the situation. However, yes, I have full faith in Uefa.
England have maximum points from their qualifiers and victory in Prague on Friday will affirm eligibility .
Read more here: http://www.olcayreklam.com/?p=26954