At least 33 police officers and 24 fans were injured in clashes on the sidelines of Bulgaria’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Hungary on Thursday, which ended in a 2-2 draw, authorities said yesterday.
“Twenty-four injured were examined, including seven who were hospitalized with head traumas, broken legs and arms, and many who were gassed with pepper spray,” Katya Sungarska, an emergency center spokeswoman, told reporters.
“The injured police are 33, there are some with serious injuries and hospitalized,” Sofia Police Directorate deputy chief Stefan Ivanov told a news briefing.
Photo: AFP
Thirty-three fans were detained on Thursday night and arrests continue, he said, adding that the violence was “an unprecedented violation of public order with serious aggression and posing high risk.”
UEFA ordered the game to be played behind closed doors after a request by the national federation, which feared potential trouble following calls for a major protest against the Bulgarian Football Union.
Police said that more than 4,000 people were at the protest outside the national stadium in Sofia.
Photo: EPA-EFE
They shouted “resign” and held banners reading: “18 years is enough,” calling for Bulgarian Football Union president Borislav Mihaylov to step down.
Violent clashes erupted after fans started to throw smoke bombs, pavement blocks, stones and beer bottles at police lines.
More than 1,500 policemen in full anti-riot gear were in place to ensure security.
Two water cannon were deployed to disperse the crowd.
A reporter saw at least seven fans with head injuries after police pushed away the supporters, who set fire to a police minivan and several garbage containers.
Anger has built up in the past few years over the poor results of the national team, who have failed to qualify for any major tournaments and went through numerous coaches during Mihaylov’s time at the helm of the federation.
Despite the point earned in Thursday’s draw, Bulgaria are last in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, with three points from seven games.
Hungary qualified for the finals as a result of the draw.
Elsewhere, Slovakia also booked their tickets for Euro 2024 in Bratislava, cruising past Iceland 4-2 with two goals from Lukas Haraslin.
Hungary and Slovakia joined hosts Germany, as well as Austria, Belgium, England, France, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Turkey as the teams qualified so far.
Spain beat Cyprus 3-1 with starlet Yamal opening the scoring in the fifth minute, while Scotland came from behind to draw 2-2 with Georgia in Tbilisi thanks to Lawrence Shankland’s 93rd minute equalizer and Montenegro beat Lithuania 2-0.
Portugal beat Liechtenstein 2-0 in Vaduz, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 128th international goal to extend his world record.
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