England are set to lodge an official complaint after racist abuse against several of their black players marred a comfortable 3-0 win over Bulgaria here Friday. Two goals from a revitalised Wayne Rooney and a well-taken effort from defender Gary Cahill sealed an emphatic win for England, who have now opened up a three-point lead at the top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group.
But a satisfying night for England was soured by repeated monkey chanting from sections of the Bulgarian crowd against England players Chris Smalling, Ashley Cole, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott. Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaus later decried the abuse and issued an apology on behalf of the Bulgarian FA after English officials confirmed they had raised the matter with a UEFA observer.
"... I can say it's pitiful when such things happen," Matthaus said at a post-match press conference. "Because of that I would like to apologise on behalf of the Bulgarian Football Union." England goal hero Rooney said his team-mates had been aware of the abuse during the Group G match at the Vasil Levski Stadium, where the visitors effectively sealed victory in the first half after surging into a 3-0 lead. "As players we could hear it on the pitch. It has been going on for years and it is not rigsht," Rooney said.