July 28 – North Macedonian FK Shkupi ultras attacked Levski Sofia supporters before the UEFA Europa Conference League Second qualifying round match between the two teams in Skopje yesterday (Thursday).
The unrest took place in the northern part of the North Macedonian capital hours before the match at the Tose Proeski stadium. Two cars with Bulgarian license plates were attacked and stones and other objects. One of them was stopped and the Bulgarian team’s fans were dragged out of it and beaten. One of Levski’s fans was stabbed.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency that they had been informed violence and said it is monitoring the situation closely.
The Bulgarian ambassador in North Macedonia has spoken with the North Macedonian authorities and insisted on urgently clarifying the case and ensuring the safety of Bulgarian football fans.
The consul of Bulgaria in Skopje has visited the stabbed fan in hospital where he being treated, with his condition being described as stable.
Minutes before the start of the match at the Toshe Proeski stadium, 15 Levski fans were detained entering the stadium after they got into arguments with police.
Hours after the incidents in Skopje, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia published an official statement on the case: “On 27.07.2023, in connection with the football match between the teams of FC Shkupi from Skopje and FC Levski from Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria, 19 fans from the Republic of Bulgaria were detained for disturbing public order and peace before and during the match.
“Of them, eight people (were detained) for violence at a sports match, two people for physical attack on police officers who were performing official actions, and nine for aggressive behaviour towards them. After documenting the case, appropriate measures will be submitted against them.
“Around midnight, police officers from SVR Skopje also detained two fans of the FC Shkupi fan group, who violated public order and peace with a physical fight. They too have been detained and will face legal charges.
“In connection with the physical attack on the four Bulgarian citizens, which was reported at 6:38 p.m. as having taken place on “Cvetan Dimov” street, during which a sharp object was also used, and the Bulgarian citizen D.A. he suffered serious bodily injuries, after the measures and actions taken, the identity of the majority of the attackers was established and the case is cleared up, after which charges will be filed. The injured D.A. he was transferred to the “St. Naum Ohridski” hospital and is in a stable condition.”
Levski won the match 2-0.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krsssimirov, at moc.l1734807423labto1734807423ofdlr1734807423owedi1734807423sni@o1734807423fni1734807423