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Bulgarian football president to resign after racist abuse in England game Bulgarian football president to resign after racist abuse in England game
(about 2 hours later)
Borislav Mihaylov, the president of the Bulgarian Football Union, has resigned after England’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia on Monday was twice halted because of persistent racial abuse from home supporters.Borislav Mihaylov, the president of the Bulgarian Football Union, has resigned after England’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia on Monday was twice halted because of persistent racial abuse from home supporters.
Mihaylov’s letter of resignation will be presented to members of the country’s FA Executive Committee on Friday. Mihaylov’s letter of resignation will be presented to members of the country’s FA executive committee on Friday.
Bulgaria goalkeeper praises home fans and says England players 'overreacted'Bulgaria goalkeeper praises home fans and says England players 'overreacted'
A statement from the BFU on the morning after the chastening 6-0 defeat against England, read: “Today the Bulgarian FA president Borislav Mihaylov has resigned from his position – his letter of resignation will be presented to the members of the FA’s Executive Committee at this Friday’s meeting. Less than an hour after Mihaylov’s departure had been confirmed more than 20 police officers swept into the BFU’s headquarters in Sofia. Sources close to the issue told Reuters that officers had been searching for documents related to some Bulgarian referees.
It added: “It comes after the pressure that has been generated over the past few days; a situation that is not positive for Bulgarian football or the Football Union itself. After so many years in the position and because of his network of international contacts, Mr Mihaylov has said he is ready to continue helping Bulgarian football to develop in any way possible.” “I can confirm the presence of police officers but I can’t provide more details at the moment,” a BFU spokeswoman said.
Meanwhie, the Bulgaria goalkeeper Plamen Iliev has said home fans “behaved well” during the game, suggesting that Gareth Southgate’s players “overreacted a bit”. The Ludogorets player said he had not heard anything, echoing comments made by his manager, Krasimir Balakov. An earlier statement from the BFU regarding Mihaylov read: “Today the Bulgarian FA president Borislav Mihaylov has resigned from his position – his letter of resignation will be presented to the members of the FA’s executive committee at this Friday’s meeting.”
Mihaylov had said in the buildup to the 6-0 defeat by England that comments by Gareth Southgate and players such as Tammy Abraham about possible racist abuse in Sofia were “offensive” and “derogatory”. On Tuesday morning Bulgaria’s prime minister, Boyko Borissov, called for Mihaylov to resign after the racism from the stands.
The BFU statement added: “It comes after the pressure that has been generated over the past few days; a situation that is not positive for Bulgarian football or the football union itself. After so many years in the position and because of his network of international contacts, Mr Mihaylov has said he is ready to continue helping Bulgarian football to develop in any way possible.”
Meanwhile, the Bulgaria goalkeeper Plamen Iliev has said home fans “behaved well” during the game, suggesting that Gareth Southgate’s players “overreacted a bit”. The Ludogorets player said he had not heard anything, echoing comments made by his manager, Krasimir Balakov.
“If I am honest, I believe they [the fans] behaved well today,” Iliev said. “There wasn’t any abuse [as far as I could hear] and I think they [the England players] overreacted a bit. The public was on a good level – I didn’t hear any bad language used towards their or our players.”“If I am honest, I believe they [the fans] behaved well today,” Iliev said. “There wasn’t any abuse [as far as I could hear] and I think they [the England players] overreacted a bit. The public was on a good level – I didn’t hear any bad language used towards their or our players.”
Bulgaria have gone a full year now without a win and the defeat by England on Monday night was a sixth game in charge for Balakov without a victory. Bulgaria are bottom of Euro 2020 qualifying group A with three points from seven games.Bulgaria have gone a full year now without a win and the defeat by England on Monday night was a sixth game in charge for Balakov without a victory. Bulgaria are bottom of Euro 2020 qualifying group A with three points from seven games.
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