Mings: Racist chanting from Bulgaria fans 'clear as day'

England defender Tyrone Mings said the racist abuse he and other teammates were subjected to in Bulgaria on Monday was "clear as day," adding that "everybody" came together in deciding to continue playing the match in Sofia.

The Three Lions' eventual 6-0 victory was halted twice in the opening half because of racist chanting from the home supporters. Television cameras appeared to capture Mings bringing the situation to the attention of the linesman by asking: "Did you hear that?"

"I could hear it as clear as day. It doesn't affect me too much. I feel more sorry for those people who feel they have to have those opinions," the Aston Villa star told the BBC after the match, which served as his England debut.

"I am proud of how we dealt with it and took the appropriate steps."

As per UEFA protocol, the England players had the option to walk off the pitch, but Mings said the entire group agreed to play on.

"Everyone was aware of it but we ultimately let our football do the talking and didn't get distracted by anything," the 26-year-old said. "Everybody made the decision. The manager, the team, the supporting staff. We spoke about it at halftime and we dealt with it and escalated it in the right way."

Manager Gareth Southgate echoed those sentiments.

"We know it is an unacceptable situation," he said, according to Agence France-Presse. "I think we've managed to make two statements really by winning the game, but also we have raised the awareness of everybody to the situation.

"The game was stopped twice and I know for some people that won't be enough, but I think we were as a group on board with that process."

The day prior to the match, Bulgaria manager Krasimir Balakov dismissed the notion that his nation has any issues with racism in football, suggesting the problem is more prevalent in England.

"In the Bulgarian championship, we have a lot of players of different ethnicities and skin color," Balakov said.

"I don't think that we have this big problem like, for example, England do."