The president of the Bulgarian FA has been urged to resign his post by the country’s prime minister over their 6-0 defeat to England and the vile scenes of racism during the Euro 2020 qualifier.
…and it’s been given the seal of approval by Three Lions star Raheem Sterling.
That news is according to Bulgarian journalist Metodi Shumanov, who has told talkSPORT his nation ‘failed as a society’ at the Vasil Levski National Stadium on Monday.
The match was stopped by officials twice in the first half due to audible racist chanting coming from a section of the home supporters, who were dressed all in black and also appeared to make fascist gestures.
Following consultation with UEFA officials, an announcement was made in the stadium warning fans that any further incidents could result in the match being abandoned, although England players and staff all agreed to play on and they answered the abuse in fine style and dignity with a thumping 6-0 win.
The Bulgarian fans were widely condemned for their actions, although head coach Krasimir Balakov insists he ‘did not hear’ any racist chanting.
And following the sorry scenes, the head of the Bulgarian FA, Borislav Mihaylov, has now been asked to step down by the man leading the country, Boyko Borissov.
The government has also threatened to pull all support of the national team until Mihaylov is gone.
And England ace Sterling, who scored twice in the 6-0 win, quickly responded to the news on social media…
Bulgarian sports journalist Metodi Shumanov was at the game on Monday night and he joined talkSPORT to share his reaction to the events, saying the national side ‘deserve to be punished’.
“I feel really sad,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“Football aside, I think we failed as a society. It was such a shameful night, not only for Bulgarian football but for the whole country.
“This is a problem that should be tackled in the most serious of ways and I expect some severe punishments to come.
“I think we deserve to be punished, one way or another. If UEFA kick us out of the tournament it would be a historic precedent. I’m not sure of the textbook, but there should be consequences, for sure.”
