Bulgarian pm wants football coach sacked over fans racial abuse
You're referring to the recent controversy surrounding the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and the country's national football team.
As you mentioned, Borisov has called for the sacking of the Bulgarian national football team's coach, Krasimir Balakov, over allegations of racial abuse directed at England players during a Euro 2020 qualifier match in Sofia. The match was marred by racist chants and monkey noises aimed at players like Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings.
Borisov, who is also the leader of the center-right GERB party, has faced criticism for his handling of the situation. He initially downplayed the severity of the incidents, saying that the abuse was not widespread and that the fans were "not racists." However, he later changed his tone and called for the coach to be fired, saying that the team's performance was "unacceptable" and that the coach was responsible for the players' behavior.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for stronger action to be taken against racism in Bulgarian football. The English Football Association has also launched an investigation into the incidents and has called for the Bulgarian Football Union to take "immediate and decisive action" to address the issue.
It's worth noting that this is not the first time that Bulgaria has faced criticism for racism in football. The country has a history of racist incidents and chants at matches, and there have been several high-profile cases in recent years.
In any case, it's clear that the situation is a serious one, and it's important that the Bulgarian authorities take concrete steps to address the issue and ensure that football is a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans.