Nordic Rights Condemns Violent Unrest at Bulgarian Football Demonstration

At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. Today, we express our deep concern and condemnation regarding the recent events that unfolded in Sofia, Bulgaria, where a demonstration by thousands of football fans turned violent, resulting in injuries and arrests.

On November 16, a demonstration organized by Bulgarian football fans, demanding the resignation of the president of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) and its leadership, took a distressing turn. The demonstration, which took place minutes before the kickoff of a qualifying match between Bulgaria and Hungary for the European football championship, escalated into chaos as protesters threw homemade bombs, stones, and plastic bottles at the police.

This regrettable turn of events led to injuries among protesters and law enforcement officers, with dozens of arrests reported. Nordic Rights strongly condemns any act of violence and calls for a peaceful resolution to the grievances expressed by the demonstrators.

The discontent among Bulgarian football fans is rooted in the poor performance of the national team, coupled with decisions made by the BFS leadership, including the move of the match to Sofia without allowing fans to attend. The decision to play the match without an audience was justified by the BFS due to the “risk of riots.”

The ongoing protests against the BFS and its leadership highlight deeper issues of mismanagement, corruption, lack of transparency, and a persistent refusal to take responsibility. As an organization dedicated to human rights, Nordic Rights emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns through peaceful dialogue and adherence to the principles of justice and accountability.

The scenes of violence witnessed in Sofia are distressing, and we call on all parties involved to prioritize peaceful means of expression and engage in constructive dialogue. We urge the Bulgarian authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the reported incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement.

Nordic Rights reiterates its commitment to monitoring human rights situations across borders and will continue to stand against any form of violence or repression that undermines the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals.