Bulgarian Euro 2020 racist abuse against England players: What happens next?

Bulgaria's governing body for football has been charged by UEFA over racist chanting during their Euro 2020 qualifier against England on Monday.

Monkey chanting was directed at a number of England's black players and backroom staff during the game in Sofia.

Here we look at what happens next, and what punishments UEFA has handed out for racism-related offences in the past.

  • What evidence have UEFA looked at?

UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body will consider the reports from the match referee, its match delegate and from "spotters" in the crowd working for the Fare network, which works to stamp out discrimination and promote inclusion in the European game.

It will also look at evidence from other sources, such as television footage and CCTV.

Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said on Monday night that security staff from his organisation would gather witness statements, and UEFA would also look at these if submitted.

The game was stopped twice, as the England football team and officials spoke about what to do next. Credit: PA

  • What happens now?

The UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body must decide whether to open an investigation based on the evidence presented to it.

The Bulgarian Football Union has been charged less than a day after the racist incidents took place.

It is now a wait to see what the outcome of that will be.

In response to UEFA's sanctions, the president of football's governing body, FIFA, demanded "new, stronger and more effective ways to eradicate racism in football", calling for worldwide life bans for those found guilty of racist behaviour.

The England side won 6-0, despite the racist abuse. Credit: PA

  • What punishment could Bulgaria face?

Under Article 14 of UEFA's disciplinary regulations, which relate to racism, the punishment may be to order the Bulgarian Football Union to play one match behind closed doors and issue a £43,500 fine.

However, there is provision under Article 14, "where circumstances of the case require it" to impose additional disciplinary measures such as ground closure for multiple matches, forfeiture of a match, points deduction or disqualification from the competition.

Match referee Ivan Bebek speaks to England manager Gareth Southgate about the racist chanting. Credit: PA

  • What sort of punishments have been issued in the past?

The three-step UEFA anti-racism protocols were launched in a resolution at UEFA Congress in London in 2013.

No game has yet been abandoned under the protocol.

No team at club or national team level has yet had points deducted or been disqualified over an offence of racism.

One of the most severe punishments to date was the decision in July 2015 to impose a two-match stadium closure on the Croatian federation.

The sanction was imposed because a Nazi swastika had been burned onto the pitch before a match against Italy in Split, which was already being played behind closed doors because of a previous offence.

England's Raheem Sterling scored his side's fifth goal of the game. Credit: PA

The Montenegrin association was ordered to play a match behind closed doors and fined £17,300 after its supporters were found guilty of racially abusing England players during a qualifier in March.

Tottenham defender Danny Rose said he was "lost for words" at the leniency of the sanction and added: "It's a bit shocking but there's not much I can do now.

"I just hope I don't ever have to play there again and we just have to move on now."

Players have faced more stiff punishments for racism-related offences - in August Ukrainian goalkeeper Kostyantyn Makhnovskiy, who was playing for Latvian side Ventspils, was banned for 10 matches.

Bulgaria fans display a sweatshirt with the words No Respect. Credit: PA

  • What has UEFA said?

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has issued a statement on the matter, in which he blamed a rise in nationalism across Europe for fueling racism at matches and defended the body's approach to racism.

“Believe me, UEFA is committed to doing everything it can to eliminate this disease from football,” Ceferin said.

“We cannot afford to be content with this. We must always strive to strengthen our resolve.

“More broadly, the football family — everyone from administrators to players, coaches and fans — needs to work with governments and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to wage war on the racists and to marginalize their abhorrent views to the fringes of society.”