The Uefa has punished the Bulgarian Football Association after the racist incidents in the European Championship qualifiers. The disciplinary chamber of the European Football Association imposed after the events in the 0: 6 of the Bulgarians against England a ban of two games without spectators and a fine of 85,000 euros. As the Uefa announced, the second game was suspended under spectator exclusion for two-year probation.
On 14th October in Sofia, the English professionals of Heimfans were massively insulted racist. Monkey sounds were heard in the stadium and Bulgarian fans showed the Hitler salute. It was followed by arrests of alleged perpetrators, Association President Borisslaw Mikhailov resigned as well as national coach Krassimir Balakov. Bulgaria is considered a repeat offender in this respect after similar incidents in the past.
Both Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed horror. In the European Championship qualifying Bulgaria occupies in Group A with three points chance the last of five places.
The English federation has to pay a fine of 5,000 euros for disturbances during the Bulgarian national anthem.
Bulgaria had applied to Sofia for the upcoming European Championship 2020 in eleven European cities. However, the Bulgarian capital was not selected by the Uefa as a venue.