Dimitar Berbatov expects ‘severe justice’ and life bans for Bulgaria racists as he calls for world to tackle issue
DIMITAR BERBATOV says the Bulgarian racists have brought shame on his nation – and urged authorities to hand out “severe punishments”.
Former Manchester United star Berbatov was left distraught at seeing supporters from his country abuse England players with monkey taunts this week.
The 38-year-old insists anyone found to have taken part in the racist abuse should receive life bans – but he urged the wider world not to tar everyone else in Bulgaria with the same brush.
Betfair ambassador Berbatov said: “In every nation there are bad apples and bad people, this was the case in our stadium against England.
“There were people there who were only there to provoke, these people don’t deserve to go to games and watch football, and for me they need to be banned for life, not just at football but all kinds of sport.
“I hope our government in Bulgaria does their job and bans them for life, they don’t deserve to be there and they have brought shame on all of us.
“Because of them, we are only talking about the incidents of racism and not about the football, which has become secondary and it should not be like that.
“I am very ashamed of how these people can do this.
“It is also a problem in England, Italy and all around the world, these people should be banned for life. We need to stay together and fight against it because this is unacceptable.
“I cannot accept the criticism that the whole of Bulgaria has received, 50 people cannot define a nation, we are not racists.
“I am a proud Bulgarian and I know that we are dealing with this straight away, and there will be severe justice.
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“I hope that every country around the world is working on this issue, we are all in this together, let’s not divide.”
Berbatov’s plea comes a day after fellow Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov broke down in tears on television as he spoke of the incidents in Sofia as England thrashed their hosts 6-0.
Six fans have since been arrested by authorities, and the president of the Bulgarian FA has resigned after being criticised by the nation’s Prime Minister.