Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings: I feel sorry for the racists

The Villa defender was targeted by a section of home supporters during the early stages of England’s 6-0 win in Bulgaria on Monday night.

Television cameras picked up Mings asking the assistant referee if he had heard the abuse aimed in his direction and there then followed two breaks in play, after it was reported to the referee.

England’s players contemplated coming off the pitch in Sofia, before eventually deciding at half-time to continue with the rest of the game.

Mings insisted he was not personally affected by the abuse, which he said was the first time he had been targeted in his career.

He said: “It did not affect my feelings one bit. I felt a bit sorry for the people that have these views,” he added.

“I feel it is not a reflection of the views of the whole country and I feel that the appropriate steps were taken.

“It didn’t affect my feelings but I was aware that we had to follow the right protocols, and not think it does not affect me so I won’t report it. I have a duty to people that don’t have a voice or that perhaps are abused and it does hurt or get to them.

“I don’t know why it does not affect me, it just doesn’t.”

An announcement was made on the stadium’s public address system in the 28th minute, in line with UEFA’s anti-racism protocols, warning fans any further incidents could result in the match being abandoned. There was a further stoppage before half-time.

Mings, who claimed to first hear racist abuse when he went out for the warm-up, was satisfied with the process and how players stuck together.

When asked if he felt the protocols had worked, he said: “They did, yes.

“I didn’t hear anything in the second half. I can’t speak for everybody, but I can speak for myself. So I think fans were removed and if that was the case then I think the protocol has definitely worked. We were here to play football, so we didn’t want to really be having these conversations but it was important we made a collective decision.”

Mings had flown eight family members out at short notice after finding out he would be playing.

“I’m immensely proud, it is a dream come true for sure,” he said of his debut.

“It is the pinnacle of English football, everybody dreams of representing their country, everybody knows my journey. I was extremely proud and had my friends and family in the crowd, so I don’t think they will let it overshadow this.

“I was absolutely happy they were here tonight and it will be a memory we will talk about for a long, long time – a good memory.”