Racism: Bulgaria Receive two Match Ban

BBC-Bulgaria have been ordered to play two matches behind closed doors – one suspended for two years – for their fans’ racist abuse of England players in a Euro 2020 qualifier.

England’s 6-0 win in Sofia was stopped twice and could have been abandoned, but the visitors chose to play on.

The hosts already had a partial stadium closure for that match on 14 October because of previous racist behaviour.

Bulgaria have also been fined 75,000 euros (£65,000) by Uefa.

The Bulgaria fans’ behaviour included Nazi salutes and monkey chants and the match was stopped twice for racist chanting by home supporters.

Uefa’s punishment has been criticised by anti-racism charity Kick it Out, anti-discrimination body Fare and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).