Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaus apologised for the abuse after the game, which Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott said they could hear clearly, although some of his team-mates did not notice.

"As players we could hear it on the pitch," Rooney said.

"It has been going on for years and it is not right. It needs to stop and hopefully something can be done about it."

The Football Association have already made their feelings known to their Bulgarian counterparts, in addition to the UEFA match delegate.

Now UEFA will assess the evidence before deciding what to do.

"UEFA are aware of the situation," said a spokesman.

"We will study the reports, including the delegate's report, on Monday."

The issue of racism has been a persistent problem during England's recent ventures into eastern Europe.

There have been incidents in Croatia, Macedonia and Slovakia, although the Football Association also demanded an international with Spain in 2009 should be played in Seville rather than Madrid after encountering racism during a game in the capital.

The recent 'El Clasico' in Barcelona was also marred by racist fan behaviour, emphasising just how much work there is to do if the problem is to be stamped out.

The FA have thus far kept their counsel on the matter, opting for a low-key stance in the hope that UEFA take stern action.

However, many have been critical of the fines UEFA tend to impose, with Viv Anderson, the first black player to represent England in a full international, among those who believe they should be measured in the hundreds of thousands, rather than smaller sums that tend to be imposed.

"I was aware. It was very clear," said Walcott immediately after yesterday's 3-0 win.

"I ignored it. But that is me. I think the FA will deal with that and I don't want to comment. The result tonight was the important thing."

"I can't say anything about this as I am not really aware of it," added Matthaus.

"In my capacity as the manager, I cannot comment on such things, but it's pitiful for things like that to happen.

"And, as a result of that, I'd like to apologise on behalf of the Bulgarian Football Federation."