Authorities stated Friday that at least 33 police officers and 24 football supporters were hurt in disturbances on the sidelines of Bulgaria’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Hungary, which finished in a 2-2 draw.
“Twenty-four injured were examined, including seven who were hospitalised with head traumas, broken legs and arms, and many who were gassed with pepper spray,” Katya Sungarska, an emergency center spokesperson, told AFP early Friday.
“There are 33 injured police officers, some with serious injuries and hospitalized,” Stefan Ivanov, deputy commander of the Sofia police directorate, stated at a press conference.
Thirty-three football supporters were arrested yesterday night, and he described the violence as “an unprecedented violation of public order with serious aggression and posing a high risk The game was postponed by UEFA.
The national federation requested that the game be played behind closed doors due to the supporters’ desire for a large protest against the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU).
Police claimed early Friday that the rally outside Sofia’s national stadium drew approximately 4,000 people.
They chanted “Resign!” and waved banners reading “18 years is enough” to demand the resignation of long-serving BFU president Borislav Mihaylov.
After supporters began throwing smoke bombs, concrete blocks, stones, and beer bottles at police lines, violent fights occurred.
Over 1,500 police officers in full riot gear were stationed to maintain security.
Two water cannons were used to disperse the gathering, which is an unusual occurrence in the Balkan country.
An AFP reporter witnessed at Seven fans were injured in the head as police pulled them away after they set fire to a police vehicle and numerous rubbish containers.
Fans’ rage has grown in recent years as a result of the national team’s failure to qualify for any major tournaments and its rotation of coaches under Mihaylov’s tenure as federation president.
Despite a record plagued by allegations of match-fixing and a racial abuse crisis during a match against England in 2019, the controversial president resigned in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021.
Despite earning a point in Thursday’s draw, Bulgaria still sits last in their Euro 2024 qualification group, with three points from seven games.
Hungary has qualified for the finals as a result of the draw.
