English Football Fan Severely Beaten in Sofia

The National Vasil Levski Stadium in downtown Sofia. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

A fan of England's national football team has been severely beaten in downtown Sofia overnight.

A group of four minors have attacked the Englsih around 1 am at the intersection of the main Vitosha boulevard and the Parchevich street. The man suffered head trauma and injuries on his body.

The perpetrators were arrested later by police from the 1st police precinct where they are held for 24 hours before facing a judge to be tried under the Football Hooliganism Act.

The England and Bulgarian national teams are playing Friday at the National Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia in a Euro 2012 qualifier game. The match starts at 9:15 pm. The UK team arrived in Sofia Thursday.

About 900 policemen will monitor public order during the game.

An estimated 3 000 England fans are expected to attend the game.

The faceoff has caused traffic changes and streets closures.

Parking is banned from 8 am Thursday until midnight Friday near the Stadium; parking and standing are banned from 8 am Friday until midnight on Gurko street between Vasil Levski and Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi boulevards and on the bridge in front of the stadium.

The Sofia Police Directorate will monitor traffic and if need arises they can ban all vehicles, in exception of those of the public transportation, from the area near the stadium.

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