Levski Sofia refuse to sell tickets to Shkupi fans after violence in Skopje

August 1 – Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia have refused to sell tickets to North Macedonian Shkupi fans for the second-leg of their UEFA Conference League qualifier following fan clashes in the first leg of the tie in Skopje last week.

The second leg will be played in Sofia on August 3. Levski said that the ban was at UEFA’s instruction, however UEFA said that the decision not to sell to Shkupi fans was taken by Levski.

In Skopje, there were a number of violent incidents including the stabbing of a Levski fan, and the arrests of more than 20 supporters.

Yesterday, Shkupi urged their fans not to travel for the game in Sofia.

“Following a meeting between representatives of Levski, FC Shkupi and the UEFA Security Committee, the European headquarters gave instructions not to go on sale for away supporters’ tickets for the second leg of the 2nd qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League 2023/24 Levski – FC Shkupi on August 3, 2023 at 20:00 at Vivacom Arena – Georgi Asparuhov stadium,” said a Levski club statement.

“Part of the instructions include a mandatory check of personal documents at the entrances to the stadium and the non-admission of persons with personal documents issued in the Republic of North Macedonia, even if a ticket for the match has been purchased.”

Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1732833216labto1732833216ofdlr1732833216owedi1732833216sni@o1732833216fni1732833216