England’s Tyrone Mings stands tall with composure off and on the pitch

Defender’s international debut in Bulgaria came in the worst possible environment and his decision to call out racist chanting may have lasting impact

“Did you hear that?” With those four words, Tyrone Mings set in motion a process that could have led to England walking off the pitch and abandoning their match against Bulgaria.

In the end they did not, with action against the persistent racist abuse from the stands of Sofia’s Vasil Levski Stadium stopping short of the ultimate step in Uefa’s three‑point protocol. But the way Mings dealt with his experience, and the way his England teammates and coaches did too, may perhaps have a longer-term effect in the struggle against racism. Did you hear that Uefa? Did you hear that people at home?

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