'I didn't actually hear anything', says Bulgaria's soccer coach Balakov of racist abuse

Record ID: 1436916

  • Title: 'I didn't actually hear anything', says Bulgaria's soccer coach Balakov of racist abuse
  • Date: 15th October 2019
  • Summary: SOFIA, BULGARIA (OCTOBER 14, 2019) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Bulgarian) KRASIMIR BALAKOV, COACH OF NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM OF BULGARIA, SAYING: "I was totally concentrated on the game. I didn't actually hear anything but I have just talked with the English press officers and I told them if it's proven to be true, then we will have to be ashamed and apologise, that such racist incidents happen in Bulgaria. This is the truth." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Bulgarian) KRASIMIR BALAKOV, COACH OF NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM OF BULGARIA, SAYING: "I have to say I have no idea about what he (the Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov) said to the fans. But the topic had been discussed many times and it is normal, when fans are unhappy with the way the players are performing, to be more emotional because of what was happening, if something happened it's a small group of people who do not have morals."
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2019 10:35
  • Keywords: Bulgaria Racism England Krasimir Balakov
  • Location: SOFIA, BULGARIA
  • City: SOFIA, BULGARIA
  • Country: Bulgaria
  • Topics: Soccer,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA001B17KI7Z
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Bulgaria's soccer coach Krasimir Balakov said that he "didn't actually hear anything" of racist abuse directed by fans at England players, but added "if it's proven to be true, then we will have to be ashamed and apologise".
    Balakov was speaking after England's 6-0 thrashing of Bulgaria in Sofia on Monday (October 14) in a Euro 2020 Group A clash marred by racist incidents in the first half that stopped the game.
    The match at the Vasil Levski stadium was temporarily halted by the referee in the first half under a three-step UEFA protocol to tackle racist abuse from the crowd.
    Racist chanting was heard from the stands and reported by England players to manager Gareth Southgate, with the referee informed and a public announcement made on two occasions.
    The game was stopped again in the 43rd minute but resumed after the referee consulted England manager Gareth Southgate.
    A group of black-clad Bulgarian fans, some of whom were making right-wing salutes, were moved from an area behind the dugout with home team captain Ivelin Popov trying to appeal to the supporters in a heated discussion at half-time.
    Popov did not even go to the dressing room, attempting to explain to fans that their behaviour was unacceptable.
    "I have to say I have no idea about what he (Popov) said to the fans," added Balakov. "If something happened it's a small group of people who do not have morals."
    European soccer governing body UEFA had ordered the Bulgarian Football Union to partially close the Vasil Levski national stadium for England's visit after supporters were found guilty of racist behaviour in matches earlier this year.
    (Production: Mike Brock)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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