Bulgaria-Hungary European qualifier match moved to Sofia
The European qualifier match between Bulgaria and Hungary will be played at the Vassil Levski National Stadium in Sofia on Thursday at 19.00.
UEFA is yet to officially announce the decision.
The information was also confirmed by the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU). The football headquarters condemns the decision of the Plovdiv municipality to not make the Hristo Botev Stadium available for the football match between Bulgaria and Hungary. The BFU described the decision as "unprecedented".
BFU statement:
"Following the unprecedented decision of the Municipality of Plovdiv to violate the preliminary agreement for the use of the Hristo Botev Stadium and to refuse the national team of Bulgaria to hold its next match of the European Qualifiers at the facility, and the subsequent communication between all parties concerned, including the state authorities, today UEFA ordered the match between Bulgaria and Hungary to be played at the National Stadium "Vassil Levski" in Sofia on 16 November, 2023 at 19:00 hours, behind closed doors.
The decision of the European headquarters is based on the current opinion of the Ministry of Interior, which is committed to the protection of public order before, during and after the match. The position expressed by the Sofia Directorate of the Ministry of Interior is based on a change of circumstances - UEFA's decision not to allow spectators into the stadium.
Taking into account the guarantees for securing the public order by the Metropolitan Police, the match will be held at the Vassil Levski National Stadium, the BFU statement reads.
For his part, Youth and Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev ordered the Vassil Levski National Stadium to be urgently put in readiness to host the national teams of Bulgaria and Hungary on November 16.
The Hungarian Football Federation also confirmed the news, describing the conduct of the BFU as "unprecedented, totally unjustified and grossly unsportsmanlike".
