World News – GB – Roberts hopes there will be no repeat of the ordeal of racism in England in Bulgaria

Bulgaria are back in action in Sofia in front of some fans and Roberts is wary after England stars were racially abused there last year – sparking UEFA action

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Tyler Roberts hopes there will be no repeat of England’s test of racism in Bulgaria on Wednesday night

Hosts sold tickets for Wales tour with small crowd expected at Vasil Levski Stadium for Nations League draw

This is the same location in Sofia where England’s Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Bulgaria was overshadowed by shameful scenes of racism a year ago

The game was stopped twice and officials threatened to abandon the game after Tyrone Mings, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford were targeted by fans who made monkey noises

Bulgaria then received orders from UEFA to play their next competitive home game behind closed doors

Roberts and his Welsh teammates hope there won’t be similar appalling scenes tonight

Leeds forward, 21, ready to win his ninth cap, said: « I hope there are restrictions and things in place to help prevent this kind of thing. >

« Sadly, this is something that always creeps into the game here and there, but I have the right people around me to deal with it if this happens

« In all types of football – club and country – there are still steps to be taken and things to be done

« The Black Lives Matter movement and stuff like that have helped, but I still feel like it’s a bit far from where it needs to be

« But at the same time, there are also top people who have to be at the forefront »

Roberts is aiming for his first international goal tonight and believes his game has improved under Marcelo Bielsa who brought Leeds back into the top flight

The striker, who has played in every Leeds Premier League game so far, added: « He made me understand the game on a completely different level

« I have matured since joining the club, knowing how the game should be played

« It was also a great experience and a great start to the season against top players from Liverpool and Manchester City

« The biggest difference is that you don’t run up against any player who is technically inferior to someone else

« Everyone in the Premier League is technically at a very high level and you have to perform well every time you step on the pitch »

England national football team, Gareth Southgate, Manchester United FC