SOFIA (Reuters) – The Bulgarian government has called for tough measures to crack down on violent soccer fans after a policewoman was injured in an explosion at the Sofia derby on Wednesday.
Some 40 Levski Sofia fans were detained after a policewoman sustained an eye injury and underwent surgery following the incident at the Vasil Levski stadium during a league match between the 26-times Bulgarian champions and their bitter city rivals CSKA.
"The first step, which will be taken is that the interior ministry will issue recommendations to the sports ministry, which will provide for increased access control and identification of those who have access to football events,” the sports ministry said in a statement.
The offender who set off the explosion has not yet been found, police said. The police officer, who will need another operation to retain vision in her injured eye, was hit by broken glass after a device exploded near a stadium entrance, while another policeman sustained minor injuries.
The Eternal Derby, as matches between the two most popular clubs in the Balkan country are known, has a long history of crowd violence.
A man was killed by a bomb after a game in 2000 and hooliganism has been rife since then. There have also been numerous arrests.