UEFA has to take a “zero tolerance” stand against racism, according to ex England player, Paul Ince.
Ince believes the shameful abuse that took place in Bulgaria yesternight merely offered out “free hits.”
Action against the culprits for acts of discrimination was stepped up during a Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia.
With some parts of the ground already closed because of previous misdemeanours, specific sections of the home support were removed from the stadium as proceedings were halted on the field.
Paul is of the opinion that this should have been the policy from the very beginning because the 3-strike rule failed to change anything.
His words, “I know UEFA had their protocol of one strike, two strikes, three strikes and you’re out but racism should be zero tolerance.
“It felt to me like a boxer and you get two free hits in the face and the third one you are allowed to respond.
“I wasn’t sure why we were waiting for the first one and the second one and even the third one in the second half, you could still hear the chants, it wasn’t as prevalent in the first half but it was still there.”
On the abuse, “I was more disappointed with the Bulgaria manager Balakov.
“His quotes after the game were disgraceful and this is someone I played against back in the day, he was a fantastic player but to hear his quotes and what he was saying, it was like he was backing the people who were doing it.
“Saying he didn’t hear it… well, everyone else in the stadium heard it so how could you not hear? He tried to turn the tables on England fans which, for me, someone like that shouldn’t be managing.
“If I had anything to do with it he wouldn’t be managing Bulgaria with the comments he came out with.”
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