Bulgaria Prime Minister Boyko Borissov demands FA chief Borislav Mikhailov resigns after racist abuse of England players – and gets backed by Raheem Sterling
BULGARIA’S Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has demanded FA chief Borislav Mikhailov resigns after the racist abuse aimed at England’s black players last night.
The Minister for Sport, Krasen Kralev, has revealed the Bulgarian PM has vowed to cut all ties with national football bosses until Mikhailov quits.
The comments come after Bulgaria fans abused England stars with disgusting monkey chants and Nazi salutes in their 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying defeat.
The clash was halted twice by match officials who followed Uefa protocol regarding racism, with Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings abused.
But now Kralev has revealed the Prime Minister has ordered him to cut all ties with the Bulgarian FA pending Mikhailov’s resignation.
Kralev said: “A little while ago, the Prime Minister called me urgently.
“You know that in the last four years, the government has done a lot for the development of Bulgarian football.
“But after the recent events, having in mind the whole state of football, after yesterday’s incidents, the Prime Minister has ordered me from today to suspend any relations with the football union, including financial ones, until the resignation of Borislav Mikhailov.”
And Sterling was quick to praise Borissov, tweeting: “A good move credits to you M. Borissov.”
Prior to Monday night’s game, Mihailov had sent a letter to Uefa slamming England and boss Gareth Southgate for suggesting their fans are racist.
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
The FA chief even went on to say the situation is worse in England – calling the pre-match comments against Bulgaria unfair.
But even before kick-off, Three Lions debutant Mings claimed he could hear the disgusting abuse from home supporters.
After the game, Bulgaria boss Krasimir Balakov incredibly claimed he hadn’t heard the abuse, before a member of the local media told Southgate to “f*** off”.
England had the last laugh in the game, as they bravely battled through the abuse to win the qualifer 6-0 – with Sterling scoring twice.
And the Manchester City man was vocal on social media after the game, hilariously tweeting a GIF of Ainsley Harriott.
The “delightful” GIF was a response to Piers Morgan’s tweet which read: “Brilliant goal by @sterling7.
“No sweeter way to stuff it up these racist Bulgaria fans than for a black England player to destroy their team with his sublime talent.”
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After reports circulated that Balakov accused England of having a bigger racism problem than Bulgaria, Sterling then replied: “Mmmmh … Not sure about this one chief.”
Sterling finished his night’s work, concluding: “Feeling sorry for Bulgaria to be represented by such idiots in their stadium.
“Anyway.. 6-0 and we go back home, at least we did our job. Safe travel to our fans, u guys did well.”