Sports

Bulgaria Receive Sanctions for Racism During Euro 2020 Qualifier Match

Sentinel Digital Desk

Madrid: Bulgaria has been ordered to pay a 75,000 Euros fine and play one game behind closed doors over racism during the Euro 2020 qualifier against England.

UEFA announced the sanctions on Tuesday after racist chanting by fans during the match on October 14, which was won 6-0 by England, according to Efe news.

Its control, ethics and disciplinary body imposed a two-match stadium ban, with the second closed game to be suspended during a probationary period of two years.

Bulgaria Football Union was also ordered to pay 75,000 euros fine.

The sanctions mean that Bulgaria’s qualifier against the Czech Republic on November 17 will be played in a closed stadium.

Bulgaria has also been ordered to display a banner with the message “No to Racism” and the UEFA logo.

The BFU was fined another 10,000 euros for disturbances during a national anthem, with England also ordered to pay 5,000 euros for the same offense.

The match, played in Sofia, was interrupted twice by the referee due to racist behavior by Bulgarian fans.

Several home fans also made Nazi salutes during the game, which was their worst defeat in an official home fixture.

English internationals considered withdrawing for the rest of the match but finally decided to continue and finish the 90 minutes.

Bulgarian police have made a number of arrests of alleged perpetrators of racist insults that were directed towards black English players. BFU president Borislav Mihaylov and the coach Krasimir Balakov have both since resigned over the incident. (IANS)