RACISM CHARGES
Uefa charge Bulgaria with racist behaviour, throwing objects and disrupting national anthem with England also facing rap
BULGARIA have been charged by Uefa with racist behaviour, throwing objects and disrupting the national anthem.
England's players were subjected to vile racist abuse during last night's Euro 2020 in Sofia and now European football's governing body have taken action.
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The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body but the date of the meeting is yet to be confirmed.
England have also been charged with two offences.
The Three Lions face charges of disrupting the national anthem and insufficient number of travelling stewards.
Bulgaria are believed to be looking at a potential two-match ground closure and a fine in the region of £70,000.
While England are likely to be given a warning or a small fine over their charges.
Earlier today, Bulgarian Football Association boss Borislav Mikhailov dramatically resigned after his country's night of racist shame.
Just hours after Mikhailov's resignation, police raided the Bulgarian FA's headquarters.
Charges against Bulgarian Football Union
- Racist behaviour (chants, Nazi salutes) - Art. 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR)
- Throwing of objects - Art. 16 (2) (b) DR
- Disruption of national anthem - Art. 16 (2) (g) DR
- Replays on giant screen - Art. 42 of the UEFA Safety and Security Regulations
Bulgaria Prime Minister Boyko Borisov demanded Mikhailov step down this morning after fans racially abused Three Lions stars last night - and Raheem Sterling backed the calls.
The PM got his wish when Mikhailov quit - after a section of home fans performed sick monkey chants and Nazi salutes.
An official statement on the Bulgaria FA website read: "After many years spent in the post and with his many contacts at a high international level, Mr Mikhailov expresses his firm readiness to continue to help the development of Bulgarian football in every way possible."
Earlier in the day, Bulgaria's Minister for Sport, Krasen Kralev, revealed the Bulgarian PM had vowed to cut all ties with national football bosses unless Mikhailov quit.
Charges against the English FA
- Disruption of national anthem - Art. 16 (2) DR
- Insufficient number of travelling stewards - Art. 24 (2) of the UEFA Safety and Security Regulations
WHAT HAPPENED IN SOFIA?
- Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings were targeted with sick racist abuse
- Sterling hits back at racists with brilliant Ainsley Harriott GIF tweet
- Marcus Rashford praises captain Ivelin Popov after he begs fans to stop
- Bulgaria boss sensationally claims he didn’t hear racist abuse
- Mings reveals he first heard racial abuse during warm-up
- Bulgarian media tell Gareth Southgate to ‘f*** off’
- England fans sing ‘Who put the ball in the racists’ net?’
- England go on to win crucial Euros qualification tie 6-0
- Bulgaria PM tells FA chief to quit over race attack.. and gets backed by Sterling
- Bulgaria player tells England racist abuse they suffered was ‘pre-planned’
- Goalkeeper Iliev praises home fans and says England stars overreacted
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
AFTER 17 YEARS OF ’PROGRESS’ CAN WE REALLY TRUST UEFA’S WAR ON RACISM?
HERE are examples of how Uefa and Fifa have dealt with incidents of racist abuse in matches involving the England senior team and Under-21s.
Incredibly, when Uefa’s disciplinary committee fined Slovakia £27,000 after monkey chants were aimed at Emile Heskey in 2002, the governing body’s own chief executive Gerhard Aigner appealed the decision because he thought it was too lenient.
As a result, the Slovaks were hit with a one-game stadium ban, although the fine was cut to £9,000.
Yet, despite Uefa admitting it should impose tougher penalties, the list below shows little has changed.
OCT 2002: Slovakia v England (Bratislava). Uefa fines Slovakia £9,000 following racist chants.
SEPT 2003: Macedonia v England (Skopje). Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell and Heskey all subjected to racial abuse. Hosts fined £16,500 by Uefa.
OCT 2003: England v Turkey (Sunderland). Uefa fine FA £65,000 for fans’ racist language/gestures.
NOV 2004: Spain v England (Madrid). Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole subjected to monkey chants. Fifa fines Spain £44,750.
JUN 2007: Serbia U21 v England U21 (Holland). Serbia fined £16,500 by Uefa after Nedum Onuoha and Justin Hoyte were targeted with abuse.
SEPT 2008: Croatia v England (Zagreb). Heskey again disgracefully abused. Fifa fine Croatia £15,000.
SEPT 2011: Bulgaria v England (Sofia). Monkey noises aimed at Cole, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott. Uefa fine Bulgaria £34,230.
OCT 2012: Serbia U21 v England U21 (Krusevac). Danny Rose abused. Serbia hit with a £65,000 fine by Uefa.
MAR 2019: Montenegro v England (Podgorica). Hosts fined £17,000 by Uefa after more monkey chants.
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Police raid Bulgarian Football Union headquarters in Sofia after England racism row
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