By Alexander Krassimirov
May 18 – There were further scenes of crowd chaos in Bulgaria this weekend which led to the suspenison of the Bulgarian Cup Final between Botev Plovdiv and Ludogorets when the Ultras of Botev started a fire in one of the stands of the Lazur stadium in Burgas, where the final was played.
Two minutes after Ludogorets took the lead in the 58th minute, Botev Plovdiv fans lit part of the stadium, as well as throwing flares on the pitch that set billboards alight around the ground. Ultras used the confusion to enter the field of play, and many joined the players who were at the other end of the pitch to the blazing stand.
Fire crews needed half an hour to master the situation and put out the fire. In the end, the game was renewed and Ludogorets going on to win 1-0 and complete the Bulgarian double, having just a few days earlier won the league title.
Before the cup final, the organisers of the Professional Football League and the police said that the use of pyrotechnics and fireworks during the match were expressly prohibited, and fans would go through a thorough inspection on entry to the stadium.
It is unclear how the Botev Plovdiv Ultras were able to bring so many torches and fireworks into the ground and start the fire.
The damage to the stadium is estimated to cost BGN400 000 (€200,000). Botev Plovdiv will now face severe sanctions following the behavior of their fans.
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