For weeks now I have called for Newcastle players to gain international recognition with a call-up to the senior England squad, but for once, I am so glad they did not.
Some have hoped for Jamaal Lascelles to get the nod. Personally, I have long-thought Isaac Hayden is as good as many of those midfielders adorning the Three Lions – particularly after Friday’s defeat.
But after what went on in Sofia on Monday, which I found very upsetting and utterly disgusting, I am so pleased none of our players were subjected to it.
If anything could be worse than hearing the racist chants from Bulgarian ‘fans’, it was watching their manager try to deny it happened.
Being 49-years-old, I was attending Newcastle games from the late 1970s and, sadly, abusing players for the colour of their skin was a fairly regular occurrence back then.
It may have taken way too long to arrive, but educating people on the issues of race was supposed to rid the game – and life in general – of such abhorrent behaviour.
Although there are isolated incidents at English football grounds now, largely, through such education – starting at primary school level – most racist behaviour has been eradicated.
But it seems that other countries do not have a similar system throughout their schools, workplaces and society.
Football should be inclusive of everyone throughout the world
I am a very proud Newcastle fan when one of our players is lining up for England, but yesterday, I was a very relieved one, that none of them did.
I simply fail to understand how people dislike other people merely due to them having a different skin colour, or having different religions, sexuality or beliefs.
It is alien to me.
I was even more appalled to hear the Bulgarian coach try to say it did not happen. It is the ‘burying your head in the sand’ mentality, like his, that gives the ignorant, hate-driven minority a licence to continue with their misguided, racist agendas.
I want nothing more than seeing our players play for England, but definitely not at that cost.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
