Racism in England Match Ousts Bulgaria Boss, Brings UEFA Charges
Racist Chants in England Game Force Out Bulgarian Soccer Chief
(Bloomberg) -- Bulgaria’s top soccer official stepped down and Europe’s governing body brought charges after racist chanting interrupted the country’s Euro 2020 qualifier game against England.
The match, which Bulgaria lost 0-6 at the national stadium in Sofia, drew sharp criticism from the U.K. and elsewhere after television footage showed groups of black-masked fans shouting bigoted epithets against the visiting players. Bulgaria’s coach sparked further ire by saying he hadn’t heard the chanting that prompted referees to twice halt play.
The Union of European Football Associations opened disciplinary inquiries against both teams, it said in a statement on Tuesday. For Bulgaria, it cited racist behavior, the throwing of objects and showing replays on a giant screen. It was charged for anthem disruption along with England, which was also put down for failing to bring enough traveling stewards.
The head of the Bulgarian Football Union, Borislav Mihaylov, stepped down at the urging of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who accused him of “poor leadership.” Special police forces also raided the union’s offices as part of a corruption probe into referees.
“It is unacceptable that Bulgaria, which is one of the most tolerant states in the world and where people of different ethnic and religious background peacefully live together, should be associated with racism,” Borissov said on Facebook.
Borissov said the government is halting financial support for the union’s activities and added that he saw “a group of morons” making Nazi salutes and waving t-shirts emblazoned with “No Respect,” which referenced UEFA’s “Respect” anti-racism campaign.
“The vile racism we saw and heard last night has no place in football or anywhere else,” U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter.
To contact the reporter on this story: Slav Okov in Sofia at sokov@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Irina Vilcu at isavu@bloomberg.net, Michael Winfrey, Andrea Dudik
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