Levski Sofia fined just £7,750 for 'say yes to racism' banner

Bulgarian fans mocked Fifa's anti-racism campaign (picture not shown)

(Getty Images)

Levski Sofia have been fined 19,000 levs (£7,750) after fans mocked one of the anti-racism campaigns launched by Uefa in a Bulgarian league match last month.

The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) imposed the relatively small fine on Wednesday after several Levski supporters held up a banner stating “say yes to racism” and a doctored Uefa logo during their 3-2 league win over Ludogorets.

The ugly incident caused outrage in the Black Sea state. Bulgarian football authorities have long been criticised by anti-racism campaigners, local media and fans for not cracking down hard enough on discrimination in sport.

Levski, 26-times Bulgarian champions and one of the country’s two most popular clubs along with bitter city rivals CSKA, have a history of racism at their matches.

The BFU fined the club 37,500 levs (£15,340) after their supporters displayed a banner showing a swastika and another one marking what would have been Adolf Hitler’s birthday during their game at Litex Lovech in April 2013.

In 2012, Levski were fined €30,000 (£24,000) by Uefa for racist behaviour by fans during a Europa League match against Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Sarajevo.

Reuters