Jobi McAnuff thinks England’s players should have walked off after numerous members of the team were subjected to racist abuse from the crowd in their European Qualifier against Bulgaria.

Three Lions debutant Tyrone Mings and Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling were two of the main targets from the spectators in Sofia, prompting the game to be stopped twice in the first half and leading to the implementation of UEFA’s three-step protocol.

With the game stopped minutes before half-time, the game was in threat of being abandoned. England’s players decided to get to half-time and re-evaluate the situation, but the Leyton Orient club captain feels as though they should have gone off there and then.

On Twitter, McAnuff said: “England players should have walked! Not having this three-step protocol nonsense, like they’re saying it’s not that bad the first or second time? Why are we taking our lead from UEFA, a body who has proven time and time again they are NOT serious about tackling racism in the game?

“I can understand the players wanting to finish the match but surely the time has come to take a real stand against this abuse? The response of the Bulgaria coach and sections of their media sum it all up, pure denial and ignorance! Until we take action, nothing will change.”

England went on to win the game 6-0 as Sterling and Ross Barkley bagged braces while Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane were also on the scoresheet.