Bulgaria to appeal FIFA racism punishment

Bulgaria to appeal FIFA racism punishment

Bulgaria's football union said Wednesday it would appeal a FIFA decision that it has to play its next World Cup qualifying match behind closed doors because of racism by its fans.

Bulgaria's football union said Wednesday it would appeal a FIFA decision that it has to play its next World Cup qualifying match behind closed doors because of racism by its fans.

The BFU admitted there was discriminatory and racist behaviour against Denmark's Patrick Mtiliga in a match between the two countries in October but said that "a very small share of the supporters" were responsible.

"In practice we are being sanctioned twice for one and the same thing, which is not right," BFU president Borislav Mihaylov said in a statement.

World football's governing body also fined Bulgaria 35,000 Swiss francs (29,000 euros, $37,800) for the "offensive, denigratory and discriminatory actions" of its fans towards Mtiliga.

After four qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil, Bulgaria is second in Group B and is facing Malta in the next round on March 22.

FIFA also ruled on Tuesday that Hungary will have to play its next World Cup qualifier on March 22 against Romania behind closed doors after anti-Semitic behaviour by fans in a match against Israel in August.

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