AIK Players "May Have to Run for Their Lives" in Sofia

Levski management has called upon the team’s supporters to behave peacefully and in a civilized manner with respect to the Swedish guests. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Swedish champions AIK have received a new warning they may face Bulgarian hooligans reprisal in Sofia after their clash against local Levski on Thursday evening.

“If it so happens that you score a victory in Sofia, run to save your lives,” wrote Erik Israelsson, a midfielder from Kalmar football club, in his blog on the eve of the match.

“You may think that I am just joking, but the truth is this may happen. A victory of the Swedish team may bring about ugly scenes. I hope the police will do its job and will protect the players and the public.”

AIK players arrived on Wednesday afternoon for their match in Sofia with upped security after last week Swedish hooligans attacked the Levski delegation guesting in Stockholm for a Europa League playoff.

After the 0:0 draw last Thursday at Stockholm’s Råsunda Stadium, AIK hooligans attacked the Levski bus, throwing stones, bottles and other projectiles at hand. Five from Levski – two players, a masseur, the press officer, and the club's owner Todor Batkov – were slightly injured in what media described as violence unseen in recent years. The UEFA delegates and referees were also attacked.

"It's shocking," an angry Batkov told reporters. "Sweden is a civilized country and such scenes are completely inadmissible.

"I've been to so many countries and I've never seen such things. I informed the match delegate that we'll most probably file a strong protest to UEFA (European soccer's governing body)."

This Thursday’s game at Sofia’s Georgi Asparuhov Stadium is decisive about which team will go to the Europa League group stage.

AIK leadership has expressed fears of hooligan retaliation in Sofia and has taken all measures to defend its delegation, including bigger security staff.

The Levski management, on its part, has called upon the team’s supporters to behave peacefully and in a civilized manner with respect to the Swedish guests.

UEFA was not swift in reacting to last week’s Stockholm incident, assuaging fears it might throw AIK out of its tournaments. A hearing is expected for September 23, with the maximum punishment being a EUR 1 M fine.

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