Bulgarian police set to release fan evidence

Bulgarian police finally looked set to bow to demands to explain the suspicious death of an England supporter in custody as officers last night handed over 10 witness statements to British counterparts.

Rob Spray’s father, Malcolm, said he was hopeful “the wheels are starting to turn” after The Daily Telegraph led coverage of the family’s desperate campaign to find the truth after his death in Sofia on Monday, the day of England’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria.

Staffordshire Police’s liaison officer is believed to have told relatives that Bulgarian prosecutors were handing over witness evidence which should help finally piece together how he came to harm after being taken by police from hospital. The 32-year-old’s body will be released by prosecutors in Sofia today and the family are now hopeful that he will be repatriated by Wednesday.

“Hopefully, now the wheels are starting to turn and things are slowly starting to happen,” Malcolm Spray said.

Yesterday, the Football Supporters’ Federation contacted the family to offer their support, while West Bromwich Albion paid tribute to their season-ticket holder, announcing details of match-day commemorations for him on Tuesday. Spray’s parents and his sister will be guests for the game, while his friends will collect an Albion shirt, signed by the players, to place on his seat against Barnsley.

“The club is trying to help the family get information about what happened there,” said Slaven Bilic, the manager. “It’s very sad.”

The Bulgarian interior ministry claimed on Monday that Spray had been found in a helpless condition in the centre of Sofia and taken to hospital before police were called when it is claimed he began behaving aggressively.

However, the ministry has now told The Telegraph that it is no longer involved, referring all inquiries to the Bulgarian prosecutor general’s office, which has subsequently failed to respond to requests for comment.