Today’s back pages: Uefa ‘disgrace’ as Bulgaria racists avoid big penalty

The Daily Express reports that European football’s governing body Uefa has been accused of “throwing away the chance to make the biggest-ever statement on racism”.

Bulgaria have been fined £65,000 and ordered to play two matches behind closed doors - one suspended for two years - after supporters racially abused England players during the Uefa 2020 qualifier in Sofia earlier this month.

The Express says that black footballers have been “let down yet again” by Uefa while the Daily Star calls it a “disgrace”.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The BBC reports that Uefa’s punishment has been criticised by anti-racism charity Kick it Out, anti-discrimination body Fare and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

“Uefa isn’t working”, says the Daily Mirror, and Kick it Out wants the disciplinary process “ripped up”.

In a statement Kick it Out said: “We feel Uefa’s entire disciplinary process in response to racial discrimination should be overhauled.

“We urge them to explain the decision-making process behind their sanctions for incidents of discrimination.

“We are disheartened, but not surprised, to learn of Uefa’s response to the racist abuse directed at England players. In our view, they have missed an opportunity to send an uncompromising message on racism and discrimination.

“The current sanctions, however ‘tough’ Uefa think they may be, are clearly not working and leave victims with little faith in their ability to prevent abusive behaviour.”

Today’s newspaper back pages