Borislav Mihailov to MPs: Bulgarian Football Union is responsible inside the stadium, but not outside

"I have not come to become a scapegoat." This is what the President of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Borislav Mihailov on November 22 told the parliamentary committee on children, family, youth and sport. Mihailov was called to give an explanation for the riots around the Vasil Levski National Stadium last week during the Bulgaria-Hungary match.

The atmosphere at the hearing was extremely tense. Mihailov said that the BFU cannot be held responsible for what happened outside the stadium. He also said that no political pressure was put on him.

Injured and arrested at protest against Bulgarian Football Union during Euro 2024 qualifier, police use water cannon (updated)

"The BFU is responsible inside the stadium, but not outside. It is unacceptable to hold the BFU responsible for what happened outside the stadium. Responsibility should be sought from the provocateurs and the people who paid them. The BFU cannot become a scapegoat," Borislav Mihailov said.

Mikhailov was criticised by the representatives of We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, "Vazrazhdane" and There is Such a People, who wanted to know from him whether he was under pressure and whether he was ready to resign. They called for him to be investigated by law enforcement agencies and held criminally responsible.

The BFU president refused to speak to the media either on entering or leaving the hall, but said he was proud that lives had been saved by the decisions of recent days.

The BFU Executive Committee will be held on Monday, where the big news that everyone is waiting for - the resignation of the president - will probably be heard. Borislav Mihailov himself was laconic:

"Next week I will reassure all citizens".

A few days ago Mihailov was also questioned in the Anti-Corruption Commission. The Prosecutor's Office announced that it was launching an investigation into the BFU management for spending public funds and "fixed matches".