Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Unprecedented clashes between police and protesting football fans in Sofia

3
Photo: BGNES

33 police officers have been injured during the protests of football fans in front of the Vasil Levski National Stadium during the European qualifying match between Bulgaria and Hungary last night. 
Several people have been hospitalized, reported the director of the Sofia Police Lyubomir Nikolov. A Municipal Police minibus was set on fire and dozens of police cars were damaged. Damage was caused to many cars of citizens in the center of Sofia and to the city infrastructure. 

33 protesters have been detained, including minors. 


There is no police force in the world which would let hooligans cause wreckage. If we hadn't used water cannon and pepper spray, many innocent victims would have been hurt and there would have been more damage, Lyubomir Nikolov said. 

According to the police, the clashes were an unprecedented violation of public order with serious aggression and a high degree of risk. At the time of the tension, there were more than 4,000 protesters and more than 1,500 police officers mobilized.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

Gallery

More from category

Cloudy and warm, with a maximum of 30°C

On Saturday, after the expected overnight rainfall, morning temperatures will range between 8°C and 13°C. In Sofia, it will be around 11°C. During the day, clouds will be mostly significant but high. Winds will increase from the south-southwest,..

published on 3/14/25 7:05 PM

The emblematic monument of Hristo Botev in Bulgaria's Vratsa dismantled for restoration

The emblematic monument of Bulgaria's national hero - the poet-revolutionary Hristo Botev in the center of the city of Vratsa has been dismantled for restoration . For this purpose, the nine-meter statue will be transported to a specialized workshop in..

published on 3/14/25 5:38 PM

Provadiya-Solnitsata prehistoric complex nominated for European Heritage Label

The prehistoric complex "Provadiya-Solnitsata" - the oldest salt production and urban centre in Europe (5600 - 4350 BC) - is among the sites nominated for the European Heritage Label 2025. This year, the European Commission received a total of 21..

published on 3/14/25 5:15 PM