How Nazi returned Bulgarian footie thugs

THE world was sickened by images of footie thugs throwing Nazi salutes during England’s match in Sofia this week.

But the horrifying gestures and vile racism from Bulgaria fans were just a hint at the terrifying grip that far-right extremism is taking across Europe.

Underground groups are spewing hate on social media as more young people buy into nationalist ideology.

Europol warns that neo-nazis are trying to recruit among soldiers and police who have weapons training.

It follows the rise of nationalist parties such as Italy’s Lega Nord, Alternative for Germany and the Freedom Party in Austria.

All push anti-migrant or antiIslamic propaganda.

There were 44 arrests for foiled right-wing terror attacks last year, only 11 in 2015.

Prof Matthew Feldman of the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right, said: “The wall between extremism and mainstream politics is now cigarette- paper- thin.” In Germany, Nordreuz – Northern Cross – tried to get hundreds of body bags and quicklime to kill and dispose of people they see as “pro-refugee” targets.

The group, exposed in June, had close police and military links.

Even Sweden, which has welcomed refugees for decades, is witnessing more extremism with the rise of the neo-nazi Nordic Resistance.

A far- right social network calling itself The Base is training “soldiers” at secret paramilitary-style training camps.

Anti-jewish feeling is growing. Nazi sympathisers in Poland were filmed celebrating Hitler’s birthday by burning a huge wooden swastika. Last week, a