Euro 2020 qualifiers

[Lineker]

The protocol should be a total stadium closure for a match plus a points deduction in the first instance; any further incidents should lead to expulsion from the competition. In all international and domestic competitions. 

[MDK]

51 minutes ago, Lineker said:

The protocol should be a total stadium closure for a match plus a points deduction in the first instance; any further incidents should lead to expulsion from the competition. In all international and domestic competitions. 

Wouldn't make much of a difference to Bulgaria though. Hardly likely to qualify anyway. Would send a message.

Now, Italy on the other hand...

[TCO]

I wonder how will all these English fans and media who are disgusted by the racist abuse, treat James McClean choosing not to wear a plastic flower next month?

That'll be interesting.

[Baddar]

[MDK]

3 minutes ago, TCO said:

I wonder how will all these English fans and media who are disgusted by the racist abuse treat James McClean choosing not to wear a plastic flower next month?

That'll be interesting.

Its a pity a lot of them haven't or won't read his open letter about the whole thing.

[Lineker]

Bulgaria have been ordered by Uefa to play their next competitive home game behind closed doors, with a further match suspended for two years after the racist chanting which marred the Euro 2020 qualifier with England this month.

The sanction was swiftly criticised by the anti-discrimination network Fare, which said it was disappointed Bulgaria had not been expelled from qualifying.

The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was among those to demand sanctions from European football’s governing body after the incidents in Sofia during England’s 6-0 victory, which led to the game being halted twice in the first half after fans made monkey noises towards Tyrone Mings, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford.

The sports minister, Nigel Adams, wrote to the Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, asking him to take “urgent action”, with Bulgaria already having been punished with a partial stadium ban for “racist incidents” during a previous qualifier.

Uefa confirmed on Tuesday that its control, ethics and disciplinary body had opted to impose a two-match stadium ban – one match longer than is usual for a second offence – as well as ordering the Bulgaria Football Union to pay a €75,000 fine. However, the second will be suspended during a probationary period of two years.

The sanction means Bulgaria’s qualifier against the Czech Republic on 17 November will be played behind closed doors, while they have also been ordered to display a banner with the words “No to Racism” with the Uefa logo on it.

Fare, which has had a partnership with Uefa since 2001 and is described as the governing body’s “social responsibility partner”, said in a statement: “We welcome the speed of this decision but we are disappointed that Bulgaria will not be expelled from the Euro 2020 qualifying competition given their previous record and obvious inability to deal with the problems they face.

“We think that the evidence and circumstances of this match would have justified European football being given a stronger signal on the need to tackle racism. Obtaining justice for racist acts is not easy in any setting; it is clear that football is no exception.

“We will be in touch with Uefa to explore options and maintain that Bulgaria and others in the same situation fundamentally reappraise how they deal with racism.”

The BFU was fined a further €10,000 for disturbances during a national anthem, with England ordered to pay €5,000 for the same offence.

A spokesman for the FA said: “We sincerely hope the disgraceful scenes in Sofia are never repeated. Our priority remains our players, support team and fans and we will do all we can to ensure they never have to endure such circumstances again. While we acknowledge Uefa’s ruling today, a huge challenge still exists around racism and discrimination in society. Football has its part to play, and must do so, but it is for all to recognise the seriousness of the problem.

“While those responsible for such deplorable behaviour at home or abroad need to be held to account, we should not lose sight of the importance of education programmes in finding a long-term solution. That has to be the way forward to help address the root cause of such disgusting behaviour. We are ready to build on our work with Uefa, Kick It Out and the FARE network in any positive way we can.”

Meanwhile, Hartlepool have been charged by the FA following an alleged incident of racism during their National League match against Dover on 21 September. The match was held up for 10 minutes after abuse was directed at Dover’s Inih Effiong by a small number of fans.

[Lineker]

England: Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell, Winks, Mount, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sancho, Rashford, Kane
Subs: Pope, Trippier, Maddison, Gomez, Rose, Wilson, Tomori, Henderson, Mings, Hudson-Odoi, Rice, Abraham

[MDK]

Youngest average squad age since 1959, Auntie tells me.

Bloody millennials. 

[Bobfoc]

Moldova are beating France.

[Lineker]

Lovely opener by Ox; Kane just made it 2-0.

[MDK]

7 minutes ago, Bobfoc said:

Moldova are beating France.

I was going to put them in my acca but I thought better of it.

I Moldova'd it.

Thank you. 

[Lineker]

5-0! Hat trick for Kane! Why can't you fucking do that for Spurs!

[MDK]

28 minutes ago, Lineker said:

5-0! Hat trick for Kane! Why can't you fucking do that for Spurs!

Because you don't play pub teams every other week. 

[Bobfoc]

Moldova have gone 2-1 behind in France. Sack them all.

[Adam]

This has been...actually I'm not sure there are any good words for it.

[Arjen Robben]

I like Sterling.

[Arjen Robben]

Although I do find it a bit rich seeing Liverpool fans acting outraged and holier than thou when these are the same people who, as recently as last year, were still booing and chanting Luis Suarez name at Patrice Evra.

[DavidMarrio]

Shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush but there was a small minority who did do that and were wrong to do so.  

But why is Gomez getting booed when Sterling loses his head like a petulant child and scratches Gomez under the eye. Sterling lost his head and did something wrong, I just find it mad Gomez is the one getting the brunt of it all from "England fans". Didn't see Harry Kane trying to chin Henderson after the Champions League final when the England squad met up for the Nations League. 

Its just another example of club rivalry bollocks from "a section of England fans" and it's one of the reasons why I can never truly get behind England 

Southgate didn't really punish Sterling he just dropped him for a game against Montenegro and Sterling didn't really apologise the first time round he basically went with the oh my emotions ran high. This second statement is a lot better and he did not have to do that whatsoever. I just feel the whole handling of situation has done nothing to help Gomez and basically left him, the person who was attacked getting the worst of it all.  

[Arjen Robben]

I think the reason Gomez got booed can be answered by another part of your post there: "England fans". They're idiots. England fans are, all too often, absolute garbage and a large part of why I have little interest in the national team.

I'd give the usual pundit bollocks softball answer and say Southgate could have kept him out of the firing line and just left it on this occasion or whatever the fuck, but actually, there should be no expectation to actually have to do that because Joe Gomez has done nothing wrong to expect to have to face that in the first place. But again, England fans.

[Lineker]

Finland are in!