Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
February 17 – Sunday was presupposed to be a day of celebration for Lokomotiv Plovdiv, nevertheless it ended up changing into a nightmare for the Plovdiv membership and Bulgarian soccer normally.
Earlier than the beginning of the match towards Septemvri Sofia, Lokomotiv Plovdiv organised a particular ceremony for the official opening of the renovated Sportclub stand on the Lokomotiv stadium.
The ceremony was attended by the president of the Bulgarian Soccer Union Georgi Ivanov, the mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov and quite a few membership legends.
The brand new stand is the most important within the stadium with a capability of 4,390 seats, 70% of that are coated.
The financing of the development actions was offered by the state, and the reconstruction of the stadium continues with the development of the opposite important stand.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s government director Toma Tsilev expressed hope that subsequent yr, when the membership will have fun their a hundredth anniversary, the stadium can be totally renovated.
However what began as a day of hope and pleasure led to catastrophe with violent scenes on the pitch as a gaggle of followers refused to return to their seats.
Through the recreation, a Lokomotiv Plovdiv supporter collapsed within the stands and wanted medical consideration. The stadium’s medical groups instantly got here to his support and the match was suspended whereas the injured supporter was given medical consideration.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s ultras helped the medical groups load the fan into the ambulance that was ready for him on the stadium. After the fan was resuscitated and escorted to the closest hospital in Plovdiv, the match delegate Kiril Manolov Lozanov referred to as on the Lokomotiv supporters to return to their seats.
At that second, the match delegate was attacked by Lokomotiv Plovdiv followers.
He acquired a number of punches within the face, and the short intervention of the stadium stewards prevented a extra critical incidents.
The match referee was able to cease the match, however after the private insistence of the delegate Kiril Manolov, the match was completed.
Hours after the unprecedented incident in Plovdiv, the Ministry of Youth and Sports activities of Bulgaria introduced that it will provoke a gathering with the Bulgarian Soccer Union.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports activities categorically condemns any manifestations of soccer hooliganism. The ugly scenes that happen throughout matches, reminiscent of these between Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) and Septemvri in the present day and CSKA and Slavia per week in the past, emphasize the necessity to take strict measures to make sure the security and safety of each spectators within the stands and all contributors in sports activities occasions,” mentioned the sports activities ministry.
“Sport instills self-discipline and builds character, so it’s notably necessary and pressing to work to create a tradition of respect amongst followers. Solely on this means can we take pleasure in soccer matches with out conflicts, aggression and violence. The Ministry of Youth and Sports activities will provoke a gathering as quickly as attainable, along with the Ministry of Inside, the Bulgarian Soccer Union and all events, so as to take measures to stop violence in sports activities.”
On the identical time, Lokomotiv Plovdiv additionally condemned the incident and apologised to the match delegate.
“PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv expresses remorse for the incident that occurred on the very finish of the match with Septemvri (Sofia) and apologizes to the match delegate Kiril Lozanov and the soccer group,” mentioned the membership.
“We perceive that our supporters acted below sturdy emotion, pushed by concern for the situation of their buddy, which led to this disagreeable second.
“Soccer is an emotion, and Lokomotiv has all the time been a membership uniting passionate and constant supporters. We consider that every part that occurred in the present day was the results of rigidity and anxiousness, however nonetheless, such conditions shouldn’t be repeated,” membership assertion continued.
“On the identical time, we’re conscious that an investigation is underway to make clear whether or not any of the events was unlawfully provoked. The membership’s administration is adamant that it’s going to help in unraveling the case to the core, so as to perceive precisely what occurred and why this disagreeable incident occurred. We’ll work along with all events to stop future related incidents, and we name on our followers to all the time help the group with respect and sportsmanship.”
Contact the author of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1739791283labto1739791283ofdlr1739791283owedi1739791283sni@o1739791283fni1739791283
