The Bulgarian Football Union announced a 35,1% decrease in club fines caused by supporter violations in the 2018/2019 season. The yearly report by BFU’s Supporters Liaison Officer Mr. Dimitar Hristov sent to the Union’s General Secretary states that the financial penalties for the professional clubs due to crowd misbehavior in the past campaign add up to BGN 244 225 – which is BGN 130 525 less than the 2017/2018 season. Furthermore, the comparative analysis shows that while 6 cases of partial stadium closure have been reported in the past campaign, there has been only one warning in the recently finished season.
The most significant decrease in club fines is in regard to pitch invasions – a staggering 80,8 percent; another positive sign is the fact that the penalties due to objects thrown on the pitch and fireworks in the stands have dropped by 52,3 and 48,5% respectively.
The results are even more impressive considering the fact that the BFU’s Disciplinary Committee did not lower its criteria, but has raised the requirements for the clubs and has implemented additional penalties due to crowd trouble.
In his report the Bulgarian association’s SLO highlights the positive change as a direct consequence of the clubs’ liaison officers, the Interior Ministry’s hard work (and the imposed bans on certain individuals forbidding them from attending both local and international football games) as well as the BFU’s huge effort in promoting equality and proper behavior in the stands through a series of workshops and seminars.
“We are extremely pleased with the results from the past campaign – and although there is still some work to be done, we consider this a massive success for both the BFU and its member clubs”, said BFU president Mr. Borislav Mihaylov.
