RACISM RESPONSE
England fans sing ‘Who put the ball in the racists’ net?’ as Mings and Sterling targeted by vile racism in Bulgaria
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ENGLAND fans sang 'Who put the ball in the racists' net?' as Raheem Sterling struck just minutes after the Three Lions' game in Bulgaria was temporarily stopped.
Sterling, 24, tapped into an open net from Ross Barkley's pass on the stroke of half-time to make it 4-0.
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But the goal had far greater significance than it simply being the winger's 11th for his country.
It was the best way he and his team-mates could hit back at the racist abuse aimed at them by a section of the Bulgaria fans.
Debutant Tyrone Mings first heard the vile racism during the warm-up and complained to the referee during the game, before Gareth Southgate informed the Uefa official.
A first complaint saw a stadium announcement before a second complaint led to the referee halting the game for a few minutes before the break.
England decided to get to half-time and then reassess the situation together in the changing room.
But as around 50 of the Bulgarian thugs walked out of the stadium with only a few minutes remaining of the six added on at the end of the first half, Barkley squared for Sterling to score.
The travelling Three Lions supporters chanted: "Who put the ball in the racists' net? Raheem f***ing Sterling!" celebrating the forward's brilliant comeback.
Southgate, the other staff and players collectively decided to continue after half-time and Sterling added a second in the second half as England went on to win 6-0.
The Manchester City man took his tally for the past year to ten, having not scored for three years prior to that.
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But the game will be remembered for the racism directed at Mings, Sterling and Marcus Rashford throughout the game.
Bulgaria's captain Ivelin Popov pleaded with home fans to stop the attacks while manager Krasimir Balakov astonishingly claimed he didn't hear any racism.
Sterling, though, took to Twitter to respond to the abuse.
Commenting on the disgusting noises, Arsenal fan Piers Morgan tweeted: "Brilliant goal by @sterling7 - no sweeter way to stuff it up these racist Bulgaria fans than for a black England player to destroy their team with his sublime talent."
Sterling simply responded to his tweet with a GIF of British TV icon Ainsley Harriott, where the chef can be seen saying "delightful".
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He then referenced Balakov's comments about England having a bigger racism problem by tweeting: "Mmmmh ... Not sure about this one chief."
Before adding in a separate tweet: "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."
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