UEFA Slaps Fine on Bulgaria for Racism during England Qualifier

The black players of both England and Bulgaria were reportedly targetted by football hooligans with racism insults in Sofia. Photo by BGNES

UEFA has fined the Bulgarian Football Union EUR 40 000 because of the racist abuse of Bulgarian fans during the Euro 2012 qualifier against England in September.

UEFA's probe has confirmed that some fans of the Bulgarian national football team have chanted racist abuse and hurled fireworks and smoke bombs during the Bulgaria-England qualifier played in Sofia on September 2, 2011.

"The Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) has been fined EUR 40,000 by UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body for incidents at the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against England on 2 September," the UEFA website said Friday night.

UEFA points out that the BFU was facing charges of discriminatory behavior relating to chanting by home supporters during the Group G game in Sofia on 2 September as well as charges relating to the setting-off and throwing of fireworks.

An appeal may be lodged against the verdict of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.

In October, UEFA launched disciplinary proceedings against the Bulgarian Football Union as part of their investigation into racist abuse during September's Bulgaria-England Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia. England recorded an easy 3:0 win.

"Monkey" chants were heard during the game, apparently targeting English players Chris Smalling, Ashley Cole, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott, but also Brazlian-born Bulgarian international Marcos Marquinhos.

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