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Bulgaria ordered to play game behind closed doors after racist abuse

Bulgaria have been punished by UEFA for racist behaviour during their recent Euro 2020 qualifier ...



Bulgaria ordered to play game...
Soccer

Bulgaria ordered to play game behind closed doors after racist abuse

Bulgaria have been punished by UEFA for racist behaviour during their recent Euro 2020 qualifier defeat to England at Sofia's Levski Stadium.

A section of supporters aimed abuse at England's black players while some were also seen making Nazi salutes.

They will now have to play two games behind closed doors - although one is suspended for two years.

Bulgaria have also been fined €75,000 for racist chanting and €10,000 for disturbances during the national anthem while England have been fined €5,000 for anthem disruption.

Executive Director of the FARE network Piara Powar feels Bulgaria should have been disqualified from the competition:

"We welcome the speed of this decision, but we are disappointed that Bulgaria will not be expelled from the Euro 2020 qualifying competition given their previous record, and obvious inability to deal with the problems they face," he said.

"We think that the evidence and circumstances of this match would have justified European football being given a stronger signal on the need to tackle racism.

"Obtaining justice for racist acts is not easy in any setting, it is clear that football is no exception.

"We will be in touch with UEFA to explore options and maintain that Bulgaria and others in the same situation fundamentally reappraise how they deal with racism."

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