​About 60 police officers and fans were injured on Thursday night in Sofia during violent incidents during the 2-2 draw between Bulgaria and Hungary, which was played behind closed doors during the EURO 2024 preliminary tournament, Bulgarian authorities announced. quoted by AFP.

Football match Bulgaria – HungaryPhoto: Laszlo Szirtesi / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

Bulgarian fans are demanding the resignation of Boryslav Mykhaylov, the president of the Bulgarian Football Union

On the part of the demonstrators, “medical staff examined 24 victims, seven of them were hospitalized with head injuries, including fractures and irritations related to pepper sprays,” said Katya Sungarska, spokeswoman for the State Emergency Service in the capital. Bulgaria.

According to the responsible deputy Stefan Ivanov, 33 police officers were injured, among them “some seriously injured”.

At the same time, 33 ultras supporters were arrested.

In the maximum security mode, the match ended in a draw, which allowed Hungary to qualify for the final tournament of EURO 2024 (the score was 2:2, after the Bulgarian Petkov scored an own goal in the last phase).

Supporters from all over Bulgaria went on a trip to demand the resignation of the president of the Federation, Boryslav Mihailov, who has led the Bulgarian specialized forum for 18 years, writes Agerpres.

Protesters threw firecrackers, smoke bombs, beer bottles and even rocks or road signs, and set a police car on fire, a rare occurrence in the Balkan country.

Due to the expected tension, the match, originally scheduled in Plovdiv, was moved at the last minute to the capital Sofia, where it took place without spectators.

Fan discontent continues to grow with the under-performing national team, which has failed to qualify for any major competition and has seen a spate of coaching changes over the past two decades. The last final tournament in which Bulgaria took part refers to EURO 2004 in Portugal.

Controversial Bulgarian Football Federation (BFU) president Borislav Mykhailov (60) resigned in 2019 before reversing his decision.

Group G rating of Euro 2024 qualification

1. Hungary – 15 points / 7 matches

2. Serbia – 13 p/7 m

3. Montenegro – 11 p/7 m

4. Lithuania – 6 p/8 m

5. Bulgaria – 3 p/7 m.