Are walk-offs the only solution?

Anti-racism campaigners believe players are nearing the point when they will walk off the pitch if they continue to be subject to racist abuse, but concede it will be a “massive decision” to take. England players including Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose, and Callum Hudson-Odoi were abused during Monday’s 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying victory in Montenegro.

Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro, including a charge of racist behaviour which, if proven, “is punished with a minimum of a partial stadium closure”, according to the regulations of European football’s governing body. Troy Townsend, head of development for anti-racism charity Kick It Out, questions whether Uefa is “brave enough” to go further and ban teams from competitions and feels players could take matters into their own hands if the issue does not improve.