Arrests Precede Bulgaria's Eternal Football Derby

Twenty people were arrested for hooliganism and vandalism after the top Bulgarian football derby in the capital Sofia. File photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Sofia police were able to prevent a mass melee in the central park Borisova Gradina before the top Bulgarian football derby between the teams of CSKA and Levski.

Around 1 pm police patrols on foot have noticed two adversary fan groups of about 20 young men getting ready to start a fight.

Knifes, bats and metal knocks were found on them. They have all been arrested.

The derby starts at 4 pm at the National Vasil Levski Stadium in Borisova Gradina under heavy police presence.

Patrols are dispatched not only in the park, but all over downtown Sofia and near public transportation stops and inside the subway stations as the fans often vandalize public transportation vehicles. Buses, trams, and trollies transporting large groups of fans will be escorted by police cruisers.

Police are calling on citizens to inform them if they notice incidents are about to break out.

The stadium opened at 2 pm. All ticket holders will be searched for dangerous items, including pyrotechnics. Those under the influence of alcohol will not be allowed inside.

240 policemen will be on duty.

Car traffic in the area will be restricted before and after the game.

 

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