UPDATE: Five more Bulgarian fans are arrested for Racial Abuse aimed at Black England players during Euro 2020 Qualifier (Photo)
Five more Bulgarian football fans have been arrested for racially abusing black England players during their Euro 2020 qualifying match on Monday night (Oct. 14).
The country’s interior ministry on Friday, October 18. announced the arrest of more suspects after five persons were initially detained on Wednesday.
‘Five more men implicated in the abusive actions were detained this morning… Police continue work to track down five more to detain them,’ the ministry said.
According to the ministry, Police have now identified 16 people suspected of being involved in racist abuse.
A Bulgarian teenager has already been indicted for ‘grave hooliganism’, risking a jail sentence of up to five years, while five others, including one who is underage, were handed fines and bans from sports events.
During the Euro 2020 qualifying clash, Bulgarian fans directed shameful ‘ Nazi salutes and racist chants at Three Lions players in Sofia. The match was halted on two separate occasions by UEFA officials due to abuse aimed at England players despite their 6-0 victory in Bulgaria.
The racism scandal forced Borislav Mihaylo, the president of the Bulgarian Football Association to resign from his position.
UEFA has opened disciplinary procedures against both Bulgaria and England for their fans’ behaviour during the game.