Two days into #National Hate Crime Awareness Week and our England players were subjected to an appalling display of racial abuse during the Euro 2020 championship qualifier against Bulgaria. After racist chants and monkey noises echoed around the stadium, the foul behaviour of Bulgarian fans towards black English players was the top story in the following day’s newspapers and websites. England players were commended for their unwavering professionalism, even after the match had to be halted twice. They went on to thrash Bulgaria 6-0, which some see as the best possible riposte to the abuse they suffered. But others insist that the England team should have walked off the pitch there and then, followed by a ban on Bulgaria’s national team.
Rising East asked UEL students what they would have done, and what should still be done to combat racism.