England might have secured qualification for EURO 2020 in emphatic fashion, but that was not the story everybody was talking about when the final whistle blew.
Good win under difficult circumstances. There is absolutely no place for scenes like that. Proud of the team tonight @England pic.twitter.com/kOOBeW5hSK
— Jordan Pickford (@JPickford1) October 14, 2019
Racist chanting from Bulgaria fans saw the game delayed twice as yet again the story of racism around the continent towards English players dominated the back pages and headlines on every major sports site, and for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, the England number one called out the vile supporters.
Pickford’s comments on Twitter were met with great praise from Everton supporters on social media, who backed up their international goalkeeper in the aftermath of what was, again, another disgusting episode of racism in the 21st century.
Here’s what some Everton fans had to say about Pickford’s defiant message on Twitter…
…good win bud…sad scenes….keep on the front foot…
— Pete Conway (@poppapete299) October 14, 2019
— pammiegoose (@pamela_goose) October 14, 2019
Well said JP. safe journey back and for clean sheet against hammers on Saturday.
— Peter (@bluegoodison) October 14, 2019
JP
— Nathanhollis (@Nathanhollis19) October 14, 2019
My man
— Simon Joseph Villiers (@simonjv91) October 14, 2019
Well said Luca
— Gizzblue (@gizzblue) October 14, 2019
played son
— Charlie Parry (@charlieparry__) October 14, 2019
— Robbie (@LE_ROCROC) October 14, 2019
Since the game, the Bulgarian Prime Minister has called for the nation’s chief of football to resign as reported by BBC Sport.