Bulgaria national coach Krasimir Balakov and BFU committee resign – reports

Bulgaria national coach Krasimir Balakov has resigned, according to reports.

The 53-year-old was in charge of the team in the 6-0 defeat to England in Sofia on Monday night which was marred by racist chanting and Nazi salutes from home supporters.

The Bulgarian Football Union executive committee held a press conference on Friday afternoon and it was reported that Balakov, along with the entire committee, had tendered their resignations.

No one from the BFU was immediately available to confirm the news.

Balakov claimed he could not hear any of the racist abuse directed at England’s black players during the match.

Step one of UEFA’s anti-racism protocol was activated just before the half-hour mark, with the referee asking for a public address announcement to be made ordering the abuse to stop. However, it continued throughout the remainder of the match.

Balakov said on Monday night: “I was concentrated on the game.

“I didn’t actually hear anything but I just talked to the English press downstairs and I told them that if this is proven to be true, then we have to be ashamed and we have to apologise for it.

“But, once again, first it has to be proven to be true.”

He later issued a statement making a “sincere apology” to the England team and anyone else offended by the racist abuse.