UEFA disciplinary proceedings begin after racism storm
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Bulgaria and England following Monday’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia.
Charges against the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) include the racist behaviour, throwing of objects and disruption of a national anthem by home supporters, and showing replays on a giant screen.
The English Football Association has also been charged with disruption of a national anthem, as well as providing an insufficient number of travelling stewards.
According to a UEFA statement, the case will be dealt with by the governing body’s control, ethics and disciplinary body, with the date of the meeting yet to be confirmed.
An FA spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the charges but will not be commenting further as it is an ongoing process.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin had earlier urged the ‘football family’ to ‘wage war on the racists’.
“Believe me, UEFA is committed to doing everything it can to eliminate this disease from football,” Ceferin said in a statement.
Monday’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia was stopped twice as Bulgarian fans made Nazi salutes and directed monkey noises at black England players.
Following UEFA’s anti-racism protocols, an announcement was made in the 28th minute warning fans that any further incidents could result in the match being abandoned, while another pause before half-time only added to the nasty spectacle.
A three-step protocol from the governing body would have allowed the officials to take the teams off for a break in play as a second measure before ultimately taking the final step of abandoning the game.
Within minutes of Ceferin’s statement yesterday, the BFU announced the resignation of its president Borislav Mihaylov.
Explaining the decision, the BFU said the current position was detrimental to Bulgarian football but suggested Mihaylov could assist the governing body in a different capacity.
“After many years spent in the post and with his many contacts at a high international level, Mr Mihaylov expresses his firm readiness to continue helping in the development of Bulgarian football in every possible way.”
City winger Raheem Sterling had earlier reacted to the news that the Bulgarian Prime Minister had called on the president of the country’s football union to resign.
Boyko Borissov demanded the resignation of Borislav Mihailov after the racist abuse suffered by England’s players during the EURO 2020 qualifier.
On Twitter, the Englishman said: “A good move, credit to you M. Borissov.”