After England stars face abuse, anti-racism push across EPL

Posted October 17, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

England manager Gareth Southgate, right, speaks with Referee Ivan Bebek during the Euro 2020 group A qualifying soccer match between Bulgaria and England, at the Vasil Levski national stadium, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - A week that started with England players being racially abused in Bulgaria will end with "No Room for Racism" messages across Premier League stadiums.

The league has chosen the next two rounds to specifically promote the campaign that urges fans to report discriminatory behavior in stadiums.

The plan was in place before monkey noises and Nazi salutes were aimed at England players in Sofia, which led to Monday's European Championship qualifier being stopped twice.

England and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling is among the players featuring in an anti-racism video that will be shown at Premier League stadiums.

Premier League interim chief executive Richard Masters says the "No Room for Racism" slogan "by itself may be seen as a hollow concept, but if it is backed up with better stewarding programs, better collaboration from the police then I think that will start to have a greater impact."

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England's Raheem Sterling, second right, celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during the Euro 2020 group A qualifying soccer match between Bulgaria and England, at the Vasil Levski national stadium, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) The Associated Press

EDS NOTE OBSCENE GESTURES - Bulgarian fans gesture as they stand in the stadium to watch the Euro 2020 group A qualifying soccer match between Bulgaria and England, at the Vasil Levski national stadium, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The Associated Press

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