Euro 2020 qualifiers, Bulgaria vs England: Police arrest 6 after match

The Bulgarian Police have made six arrests in the aftermath of the Euro 2020 qualifiers between Bulgaria and England. The game which was halted twice after vile chants were directed towards the English players, has been in the forefront ever since.

Also read | Euro 2020 Qualifiers: UEFA Press Charges On England And Bulgaria

Bulgaria and racism

For years, Bulgaria Club Football has been plagued with racism. In 2011, the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) was fined after England players Ashley Young, Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott were subjected to racist abuse from fans during a European Championship qualifier. On 20 April 2013, halfway through a match, fans of Levski Sofia unveiled a banner wishing Adolf Hitler a happy birthday. And last year the club was fined after photos from the Bulgarian cup final showed a child making a Nazi salute, alongside another with a swastika drawn on his chest. Now, on Tuesday, October 15, a group of black-clad Bulgarian fans were seen making Nazi salutes and monkey gestures at the English players.

Also read | Boris Johnson Condemns Racism By Bulgarian Fans; Urges UEFA For Action

Aftermath

The aftermath saw a resignation from the BFU's president Borislav Mikhailov after being urged by their Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to do so. Also, UEFA announced proceedings have been opened against Bulgaria on four counts, one of them being racial abuse. The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body with the date of the meeting yet to be confirmed. The anti-racism campaigners have all come together demanding a ban from the Euro 2020 qualifiers for the nation.

Also read | Racism In Football: Five Games To Have Been Marred By Racism

According to the latest statement released by the Bulgarian Ministry, six people have been arrested during the operation of the Sofia police department after establishing they are the perpetrators of disorderly acts. "Due to the immediate action taken by Sofia police, 15 participants in the illegal activity have been identified. For nine of those, there is information collected, including expert facial recognition."

Also read | Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Bulgarian Police Arrest Four People Over Racism