By Daily Sports on October 19, 2019

Bulgaria coach Krasimir Balakov has resigned days after home fans at Vasil Levski Stadium directed racist abuse at England players during a 6-0 defeat to Gareth Southgate’s side.

The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) announced the news in a statement on Friday.

Balakov’s resignation follows that of BFU president Borislav Mihaylov, who stepped down this week after Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov urged the former goalkeeper to do so.

Balakov said after Monday’s game in Sofia that he had not heard any racist abuse aimed at England’s black players, but the Euro 2020 qualifying fixture was temporarily halted during the first half in order to warn supporters that the match could be abandoned following racist chanting.

Match referee Ivan Bebek instructed the stadium public-address announcer to broadcast the message – the first step in FIFA’s three-step protocol when dealing with such incidents – after England defender Tyrone Mings said he was the subject of racist chanting in the 22nd minute.

Balakov said on Monday: “I was concentrated on the game.

“I didn’t actually hear anything, but I just talked to the English press downstairs and I told them that if this is proven to be true, then we have to be ashamed and we have to apologise for it.

“But, once again, first it has to be proven to be true.”

He later issued a statement making a “sincere apology” to the England team and anyone else offended by the racist abuse. (ESPN)

•PHOTO: Krasimir Balakov

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 19, 2019

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