No fewer than five policemen and ten football fans were injured in clashes outside the stadium during Bulgaria’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Hungary, which ended in a 2-2 draw on Thursday, police said.
UEFA ordered the game to be played behind closed doors in response to a request by the national federation, which was concerned about potential disruption following the fans’ call for a big protest against the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU).
Over 2,000 supporters gathered outside the national stadium, yelling “Resign!” and brandishing banners reading “18 years is enough” in support of long-time BFU president Borislav Mihaylov’s resignation.
After fans began throwing smoke bombs, concrete blocks, stones, and beer bottles at police lines, violent fights erupted.
To maintain security, 1,600 police officers dressed in full anti-riot gear were stationed.
As a measure put in place relatively rarely in the Balkan country, two water cannon were deployed to disperse the crowd.
“As a result of the aggression, five policemen were injured. About ten fans were also injured in clashes between rival groups,” the Sofia police directorate said.
According to reports, the Sofia emergency medical centre received 19 complaints of injured people during the fights, including four supporters hospitalised with head injuries.
“Several of the provocators were arrested,” the Sofia police directorate statement said.
Fans’ rage has grown in recent years as a result of the national team’s failure to qualify for major tournaments and several coaching changes under Mihaylov’s tenure as federation president.
Despite a record plagued by allegations of match-fixing and a racist 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 currently sits last in their Euro 2024 qualification group with three points from seven games.
As a result of the draw, Hungary qualified for the finals.
