Bulgarian police arrest six after racist abuse hurled at England players during Euro 2020 qualifier

Stewards and Bulgaria fans during the Bulgaria-England Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia on October 14, 2019
Stewards and Bulgaria fans during the Bulgaria-England Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia on October 14, 2019 Copyright Reuters/Carl Recine
By Euronews with Reuters
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

The authorities added that they are trying to identify more suspects over the abuse hurled at England players during Monday's match in Sofia.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bulgarian police have arrested six people over racist abuse hurled at England players during Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia.

The authorities added that they are trying to identify more suspects.

England routed Bulgaria 6-0 on Monday during their clash in the Vasil Levski stadium. But the match was halted twice in the first half under the new three-step procedure from Europe's football governing body, UEFA, due to home supporters — some wearing masks — taunting black English players with Nazi salutes and monkey chants.

England's Football Association immediately condemned the "abhorrent racist chanting" levelled at the national team as "unacceptable".

The UEFA has since opened disciplinary proceedings against Bulgaria on charges including "racist behaviour", "throwing of objects", and "disruption of national anthem".

The incident has also led to the resignation of Bulgaria's football union chief Borislav Mihaylov.

Meanwhile, team manager Krassimir Balakov, who initially downplayed the incident, has since released a statement on Facebook to "sincerely apologise to the English footballers and to all those who felt offended."

"I condem all forms of racism as an unacceptable behaviour that contradicts normal human relations," he added.

Meine Damen und Herren, Ich verurteile alle Formen des Rassismus bedingungslos als inakzeptables Verhalten, das den...

Publiée par Krassimir Balakov sur Mardi 15 octobre 2019
Share this articleComments

You might also like

FC Porto player Moussa Marega walks off pitch after 'idiots' shout racist chants

Bulgaria told to play match behind closed doors over fans' racist abuse of England players

AI models found to show language bias by recommending Black defendents be 'sentenced to death'