The tension in front of the "Vasil Levski" National Stadium escalated dangerously after those gathered to protest against the leadership of the Bulgarian Football Union began to fire at the policemen with bombs, torches and various objects, reported a BGNES reporter. The gendarmerie deployed a water cannon and then a second cannon.
Law enforcement also used pepper spray to try to contain the situation. In turn, the fans began to tear up cobblestones and anti-parking pegs and throw them at the police. The situation could not be brought under control for more than 15 minutes, after which the police dispersed the protesters who had gathered on Gurko Street. There are detainees and injured. Among the victims is a woman who cannot see because she was gassed, as well as people with head injuries.
Earlier today, between 3,000 and 3,500 people gathered so far in the area around the Vasil Levski National Stadium for a protest demanding the resignation of the Bulgaria Football Union leadership. According to police data, the group of CSKA fans was the largest - about 1,500, who blocked traffic on Orlov Most in the center of Sofia. Reds supporters gathered at the Bulgarian Army Stadium and then marched towards Orlov Most, accompanied by a huge police cordon. The protesters chanted "Resignation" and threw several bombs
At the same time, a group of about 1,000 protesting fans - fans of Levski and guests from Hungary - gathered from Gurko Street. In front of Sofia University, there is also a group of protesters who have come from outside Sofia, and they are about to head to the stadium.
BGNES reminds that football fans from all over the country organized a protest against the management of the BFS and the president Borislav Mihailov, which was supposed to take place in the stands of the National Stadium "Vasil Levski" during the match Bulgaria - Hungary in the qualifiers for Euro 2024. Subsequently, the match was closed to the public, and fans announced that they would gather around the stadium to express their displeasure. The SDVR announced that 1,600 policemen are engaged to maintain order, and more may be involved.
The match between Bulgaria and Hungary starts at 19:00. /BGNES
