February 18 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has “strongly” condemned Lokomotiv Plovdiv ultras’ attack on the match delegate for last weekend’s efbet League match between Lokomotiv and Septemvri Sofia.
It has also called on the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Interior to apply the “full severity” of the law and punish the guilty parties.
“In connection with the extremely unpleasant scenes that took place at the end of the match between Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) and Septemvri (Sofia), in which the match delegate, Kiril Lozanov, was injured, the leadership of the Bulgarian Football Union, headed by President Georgi Ivanov, strongly condemns these acts of violence,” the BFU said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, they completely overshadowed the football celebration that was supposed to be the opening of the new Sportclub Stand at the Lokomotiv Stadium.
“Such incidents are not a precedent at all but are becoming an increasingly common phenomenon – they undermine the prestige and reputation of the game and have no place in the most popular sport. Therefore, we appeal for the relevant laws to be implemented in all their severity.
“The Bulgarian Football Union expresses its readiness to cooperate with the relevant institutions – led by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Internal Affairs – because we are convinced that only with joint efforts will we be able to deal with this pressing problem.”
Contact the writer of this story, Alexander Krassimirov, at moc.l1740246520labto1740246520ofdlr1740246520owedi1740246520sni@o1740246520fni1740246520.