BULGARIA V ENGLAND 14TH OCTOBER 2019 Injury Orinconveniencesufferedbyanyone but Canacceptnoresponsibilityforanyloss, All Theinformationprovidedinthisfanzine, Fans

ISSUE 169

BULGARIA V ENGLAND 14TH OCTOBER 2019 injury orinconveniencesufferedbyanyone but canacceptnoresponsibilityforanyloss, all theinformationprovidedinthisfanzine, fans. We havetriedtoensuretheaccuracyof national membership-basedorganisationfor Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), the The Free Lionsfanzineisproducedbythe ME IT WASN’T play in WHITE play England willprobably Kick–off 21:45, localtime Monday, 14thOctober2019 Vasil LevskiStadium, Sofia Bulgaria vEngland SR2 7DE Sunderland Stockton Road 1, Ashmore Terrace Free Lions, c/otheFSA Gifts &Postcards to: Email: [email protected] Contact Free Lions 112 Emergencies: +359 29339222 British Embassy: +44 7970146250 England Supporters Club(FA): +44 7956121314 Fans’ EmbassyHelpline: Useful Numbers PRODUCES FREELIONS

FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk

@WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions A support aswetravelabroad. information, adviceandpractical as wellprovidingtheusual to speakuponbehalfofsupporters, organisation andwe’realways ready England fans, we’reanindependent British Embassyintheinterestsof with theFA, theUKpoliceand While weworkinclosepartnership “by fans, forfans” operation. The fans’embassyisverymucha Association (FSA). newly launchedFootball Supporters’ the fans’embassyteamfrom to you–justlike alltheothers–by This editionofFree Lions isbrought we stillwanttowinthegame! experience –thoughobviously be abletorelax andenjoythe victory inPrague, andsowe’ll 2020 finalsalready secured after here withourplaceattheEuro Cover image©PA Images. of, northeviewsexpressedin, thisfanzine. held inanyway responsibleforthecontents Consequently, noneofoursupporterscanbe Free Lionsimpactsonwhatweputinit. support wehavereceivedtoproduce relying onitscontents. Noneofthefinancial August, andwonhisfirstEnglandseniorcapinSeptember. at StamfordBridgeinJuly, playedandscoredforChelseain Derby Countylastseason, hesignedanewfive-yearcontract midfielder Things aremovingfastforChelsea’s promisingyoung COVER STORY any luckwe’llhavearrived capital ofBulgaria. With ND welcometoSofia, Mason Mount. After asuccessfulseasononloanat thefsa.org.uk. FSA todayviathewebsite, atwww. your weighttothecause–join There’s strengthinnumbers, add the obviousquestionis: whynot? If you’renotalreadyamember, then and thegameasawhole. general mismanagementofclubs challenging discriminationorthe policing andstewarding problems, changes tokick-offtimes, standing, us, whetherthat’s ticket prices, full rangeofissuesthatconfront of footballsupportersonallthe The FSAspeaksupintheinterests members decideourpolicy. a democraticorganisation; our our voicebecomes. The FSAis we have, thelouderandstronger the FSA, andthemoremembers What’s alsofreeismembershipof free ofchargetofans. totally confidential, andit’s alsoall The serviceweprovideisalways it’s stillLiam’s fault. and Peter Daykin. Ifthereareanymistakes, Robertson, TonyRoberts;Conniford; Adrian Hetherington, JoeHetherington; Harpreet and thanksareduetoPhilRowley; Clive This editionwas editedbyKevin Miles, As ever, thisfanzinehasbeenateameffort. THANK YOU our Fans’Embassyservice Association (FSA)aspartof the FootballSupporters’ produced anddistributedby ...the freeEnglandfanzine

PAGE 3 BULGARIA, NOT BRAZIL AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH CLIVE HETHERINGTON? BY CLIVE HETHERINGTON CONTACT CLIVE VIA [email protected] 4 5

More recently, Dimitar Berbatov BULGARIA – THE KEY THREE by Joe Hetherington graced the Premier League with PAGE PAGE Tottenham, Man United and Fulham. WANDERSON IVELIN POPOV GEORGI MILANOV Remarkably, Bulgaria had never One of a number Both the most A lively midfielder, won a World Cup finals match until of Brazilian-born experienced Milanov is their unforgettable campaign at players who have and controversial another with the the 1994 tournament in the USA, represented eastern figure in the capability to worry where they beat Greece, Argentina European countries squad, Popov is the England defence. and Mexico before Stoichkov and in recent times. The attacking undoubtedly a gifted player, though Now 27, Milanov commanded a Letchkov scored in the 2-1 quarter- midfielder received his first call-up at the same time a mercurial talent. fee of around £3million when he final win over then-reigning this year at the age of 31, and he The 31-year-old is contracted to moved to CSKA Moscow in 2013, champions Germany in the Giants posed a threat against England Rostov of Russia having spent the featuring against Spurs in the Stadium in New Jersey. last month during his debut. After majority of his career in the country. Europa League during his spell spending several seasons playing in In September 2010, the attacker there, but he now plays in the RAZILIAN-BORN winger nine – at the back at times. But The journey ended with defeat to the lower leagues of his homeland, was reprimanded over his part in a Hungarian top flight with Fehervar. Wanderson, making his you have to move the ball quickly Italy at the same venue and in an Wanderson transferred in 2014 heavy drinking session days before One of his biggest contributions Bdebut for Bulgaria, may and England were gifted a goal. I identical result, and Bulgaria ran to his current club, Ludogorets his nation lost 4-0 to England at to date for Bulgaria is his goal have looked a threat at times, don’t know what the Bulgarians out of steam in a 4-0 pasting by Razgrad. He made headlines for all Wembley, and he was later banned against Italy during a World Cup but it was his side’s ‘play out were doing. Sweden in the third and fourth the wrong reasons this year when for life by the Bulgarian FA for qualification match which led to from the back’ approach that place play-off. he celebrated scoring what he another off-field incident, only to 2-2 draw in 2012. Milanov has a was rightly ridiculed by Roy “They played an awful ball at the believed to be a winning goal by return in 2015. Popov has scored twin brother, Iliya, who has also Keane and others during their back and it was good movement Although the Bulgaria of 2019 are kissing his wife – only to find that past Italy and Holland since making played for Bulgaria. Can play wide 4-0 hammering by England at from Kane to peel off.” a pale shadow of those who once the goal had been disallowed. his debut for Bulgaria. or through the middle. Wembley last month. bestrode the world stage, a strong The present-day Bulgaria don’t link with the glory days has been It cost them the first goal when possess players like past greats maintained with head coach Krasimir of ’94, departed on the back of That was followed by a 3-2 home anxious moments and former keeper Plamen Iliev was at fault at Georgi Asparuhov and Nikola Kotkov, Balakov, a member of the side that 1-1 draws at home to Montenegro defeat to Kosovo in which Ivelin Three Lions and Arsenal right-back a goal-kick, Raheem Sterling seizing who were tragically killed together famously beat the Germans. and away to Kosovo in Bulgaria’s Popov countered Milot Rashica’s Dixon said: “There was a long ball, on the ball to set up Harry Kane. in a car crash in 1971, and Hristo opening two Euro 2020 qualifiers. early goal for the visitors and the back four were fine, Michael Stoichkov and Yordan Letchkov, that The one-time attacking midfielder Kristian Dimitrov put Bulgaria Keane went with his man, but The change in the goal-kick rule – talismanic pair among the Balkan was only appointed in May after They needed a late Todor Nedelev ahead. Then Vedat Muriqi and a the midfielders – Declan Rice and the ball no longer has to leave the ‘Golden Generation’. Petar Hubchev, another of the Class penalty to salvage a point against last-gasp strike by Ebba Rashani Jordan Henderson – gambled that 18-yard box before being played Montenegro and led through sickened Balakov’s men. it was going into midfield. – is encouraging more teams to defender Vasil Bozhikov in Kosovo. CLIVE’S VERDICT Bulgaria 0, England 3 play short passes in and around But it has been a tough A Kane hat-trick – including two “They were caught out and, in the the penalty area, and Bulgaria introduction for Balakov. penalties – and Sterling did the end, when the ball came into the provided further proof that it is a England have never lost to Bulgaria 11 goals without reply in the last damage at Wembley, and Bulgaria box, they got away with it. There risky business. Keane said of the and don’t expect that to change three meetings, the last visit here, Striker Ismail Isa gave him a suffered a 3-1 friendly defeat to the was a second chance in the first blundering Bulgars: “You would think this time. The Three Lions have won in September 2011, ending in a dream start with a third-minute Republic of Ireland three days later in half which was virtually carbon- they were Brazil. It was madness.” seven of the 11 encounters between 3-0 victory through Gary Cahill’s goal against the Czech Republic Dublin, where Popov scored a penalty. copy. They were two really stark the countries, extending back to opener and a Wayne Rooney brace. in Prague before a Patrik Schick chances and Bulgaria should have Fellow ITV pundit Lee Dixon added: 1962. Such has been England’s Last month’s 4-0 Wembley win double secured a 2-1 success for But they gave England’s suspect done better because we were “Bulgaria were playing five – or dominance that they have scored emphasised the gulf in quality. the hosts. defence and midfield one or two opened up a couple of times.”

Website: www.thefsa.org.uk Receive urgent info: Email: [email protected] Sign up to Free Lions’ FREE SMS text service FSF helpline: +44 7956 121314 PRODUCES FREE LIONS Text “UPDATES” to +44 7956 121314 PRODUCES FREE LIONS @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions SCOUSE PHIL’S FREE LIONS ANSWERS ON PAGE WELCOME TO SOFIA YOUR FREE LIONS GUIDE 6 BULGARIA MUSIC QUIZ 13 7

REAT Uncle Bulgaria was ELCOME to Sofia, Question 10: a popular character in the the capital city of PAGE Rihanna PAGE Gkids’ TV programme The WBulgaria and venue Wombles, which is all link that for our Euro 2020 qualifier – Scouse Phil needs to produce a though if everything has gone music quiz in which each question, according to plan in Prague, we or answer, relates to… should already have secured qualification for the finals even ...television. Question 6: before we arrive here. Ayda Field Nonetheless, here we are again, some eight years after our last The fantastic line, ‘We stayed Ena Sharples, Stanley Ogden Singer Miley Cyrus became a visit when two goals from Wayne 1 in by the telly, although the 5 and Albert Tatlock are all 8 TV star in 2006 after starring Rooney followed Gary Cahill’s room was smelly’ appears in mentioned in the song ‘TV Stars’ as character Miley Stewart in which opener to give us a comfortable Alexander Nevski Cathedral the lyrics of which hit single by by Dunfermline band The Skids, but long-running Disney series? 0-3 victory. The stadium hasn’t Deptford band Squeeze? in which long-running television changed much since then, but programme did all of these What did US band Red Hot there’s been a bit of development The city lies in the west of the prices quoted in Euros, but that Which ITV talent show did characters appear? 9 Chilli Peppers tell us to do of the city itself. country, surrounded by mountains is generally just as a guide for 2 Girls Aloud win in 2002? with the television in the title of on all sides, and unusually for a tourists, and transactions are Ayda Field is one of the judges their 2002 song? Sofia is a modestly-sized capital European capital city, it doesn’t always in local currency. ‘The Sun Always Shines On TV’ 6 on TV’s X Factor, but which city with a population of around have a significantly sized river 3 was a 1985 Number One hit singer is she married to? ‘Yeah, you saw me on a 1.2million people, and it’s possible flowing through it. Many shops and restaurants will for which Norwegian band? 10 television’ are lyrics from to get around the compact centre on now accept credit and debit card The band Television were the Rihanna 2012 hit ‘Half Of Me’, foot to see the sights. The jewel in The currency in Bulgaria is the payments, but there are still a lot The Rembrandts’ 1995 hit, ‘I’ll 7 formed in New York in the 70s, which was co-written by which the crown is the iconic Alexander Lev, which is currently valued at that don’t, so be prepared to pay in 4 Be There For You’, is the theme but which musical genre were they female singer-songwriter, born in Nevski Cathedral, with its recently approximately two Lev to the cash, if that doesn’t feel impossibly tune for which well know American widely credited with inspiring in the wonderful and amazing city of re-gilded domes covered in gold leaf. pound. You will sometimes see retro in these modern times. TV sitcom? this country? Sunderland in 1987? TICKET COLLECTION FSA FANS’ EMBASSY T’S 100% collection as usual for on Bulevard Bulgaria – more Tickets will be available for ESTC members in Sofia, which specifically, as it’s a very big collection between 15:00 and S usual, the FSA’s fans’ based somewhere along the long Imeans that every individual building, it’s in Hall 4. 18:00 on Sunday, 13th October, embassy service will pedestrianised street in the centre must collect their own ticket in and between 10:00 and 21:00 on Abe on hand in Sofia to of town called Bulevard Vitosha. person. Remember to take up-to- The nearest Metro station is match day, Monday 14th October. offer advice, information and date photo ID, and it will speed up ‘National Palace of Culture’ on assistance to England fans. We will be operating on the the process if you know the name Metro line 2, the blue line; given Please note that as the ticket afternoon of Sunday 13th October, of the member who purchased the compactness of the city centre collection point is relatively close At the time of going to press, we and then on match day (Monday the tickets for your group. however, it’s within easy walking to the stadium (it’s maybe a still had not received confirmation 14th October) from 10:00 through distance of most places you’re likely 20-minute walk), there will be no from the authorities locally about to 17:00. We will of course be The ticket collection point in Sofia to find yourself beforehand. further ticket collection facility at where exactly we would be contactable around the clock via is in the grandiose setting of the It’s also within walking distance, and the stadium, either on match day located, but we are hoping to be the helpline on +44 7956 121314. National Palace of Culture, indeed within sight of, the stadium. or before.

Untitled layer

FSA Fans’ Embassy

Stadium

FA Ticket Collection PAGE 10 PRODUCES FREELIONS T YOUR SOFIA WELCOME TO stadium was BulgariavCroatia, international gameintherebuilt in September2002. The first culminating initbeingre-opened total rebuildinthelate1990s, The stadiumunderwentanalmost Bulgaria lost1-2). against Czechoslovakia (which here beinga World Cupqualifier the firstinternationalgameplayed originally openedin1953, with fencing andtabletennis), itwas halls forjudo, basketball, boxing, more toit, asitalsohas 14 sports though inthiscasethere’s abit is surroundedbyarunningtrack, euphemism foronewherethepitch purpose venue(whichistheusual capacity ofover43,000. A multi- by UEFA andFIFA, ithasaseated Designated asafour-star venue the Sofia, inthecity’s oldestpark, is locatednearthecentre of Borisovata Gradina. stadium in current use and stadium incurrent useand Stadium isBulgaria’s largest HE THE STADIUM Vasil LevskiNational FREE LIONSGUIDE and comeappropriatelyequipped. an eyeontheweatherforecasts stadium –isuncovered, sokeep of theground–like mostofthe north oftheground. This sector allocated tothecornerat and theEnglandsectorhasbeen have beensoldforthisgame, Over 3,400officialEnglandtickets the nationalstadium. to playtheirEuropeanmatchesin although theyhavebeenknown Georgi Asparuhov matches atthe29,200-capacity same bloke: theyplaytheirleague that theytooarenamedafterthe side LevskiSofia, despitethefact It isnothoweverhometoclub “all-time greatestBulgarian”). nationwide televisionpoll, the (who was voted, ina2007 revolutionary andnationalhero Levski, a19thcenturyBulgarian The stadiumisnamedafter Vasil (which Bulgariawon2-0). played onOctober12th2002 Text “UPDATES” to +447956121314 Sign upto Free Lions’FREESMS textservice Receive urgentinfo: stadium, T allow plentyoftime. mind ifyouoptforataxi, and before thegame, sobear thatin ground buildsupconsiderably Traffic congestionaroundthe 9, 72, 75and76. 12 and18allstopnearby, asdobuses city’s tramsandbuses. Tram lines10, public transportoptionsincludethe lines oftheSofiaMetrosystem. Other Stadium’, which is on both of the two is theonecalled ‘Vasil Levski to theground, perhapsunsurprisingly, afield, thenthenearestMetrostation If you’recomingfromalotfurther come inhandytoo. the centre pageswillhopefully in gettingoriented. The mapin floodlights shouldbeabighelp in therightdirection –andthe simply beaquestionofwalking of us, gettingtothegamewill centre, soforthevastmajority walk from anywhere inthecity less thanhalfanhour’s quite centrally inSofia, HE stadiumislocated GETTING THERE PRODUCES FREELIONS T suitable withyou. so remembertotake something matches thenameonticket, on entrytotheground, IDwhich required toshowsomephotoID Ticket holdersmayalsobe facilities tostorelargerbags. bring bagsatall. There areno operation; ifatallpossible, don’t to an A4 pieceofpaperwillbein of amaximumbagsizeequivalent The nowcommonplacestipulation approach totheground. ticket checkswilltake placeonthe The usualregimeofsearchesand segregated entrance. where itwillbeaccessedviaa the northcornerofground, England sectorislocatedat kick-off.official The 19:45, twohours before HE stadiumwillopenat GROUND RULES FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions we havewitnessedthisrule is sometimesanemptythreat, While weareaware thatthis that theyperceivetobedrunk. not admittingtothegroundfans us thattheyoperateapolicyof The authoritieslocallyalsotell before thegame. 500-metre radiusofthestadium forbid thesaleofalcoholwithina at thestadium, andlocallaws There willbenoalcoholonsale of racism. closure duetopreviousincidents punishment ofapartialstadium a consequenceofUEFA of theground: thisisas You maynoticeemptysectors announcements inEnglish. communicated vialoudspeaker at theendofgamewillbe Any hold-backofEnglandfans kick-off. could ofcoursemeanmissing office tocompleteone, which the turnstileandsenttoticket possible you’llbeturnedbackfrom best tohaveoneprepared, asit’s to stadiumstaffonrequest. It’s a childiscompletedandpresented form confirmingresponsibilityfor a requirementthatdeclaration juniors aren’tbanned, butthereis on childrenattendingmatches: Bulgarian lawisalsoquitestrict breathalysed andturnedaway, being enforced, withfansbeing

PAGE 11 PAGE 12 PRODUCES FREELIONS T YOUR SOFIA WELCOME TO by night(22:00–06:00). be around0.8Levbyday, 0.9Lev average fareperkilometreshould both daytimeandnighttime–an Taxis havetodisplaytheirratesfor 1 Lev. price onitshouldbenomorethan you startyourjourney–theinitial Make surethemeterisonwhen available –butbeware ofrip-offs. street –agreenlightmeansit’s Taxis inSofiacanbehailedonthe ten individualjourneytickets. are alsoavailable aswellpacksof the entrancetostations. Dailytickets and canbeboughtfrommachinesat Underground tickets cost1.6Lev, from 05:00to23:00everyday. underground, tramsandbusesruns public transportsystemofthe or prefernottowalk, the For thoseofyouwhocan’t of eachother. comfortable walkingdistance to wantvisitare within most oftheplacesyou’re likely really isn’thuge, and here isjusttowalk–Sofia HE easiestsuggestion GETTING AROUND FREE LIONSGUIDE T on Mondaysthough. the hillfor3-400metres. It’s closed Dimitrov stations, andwalk down the MetrotoJoliot CurieorG.M. It’s onUl.; LachezarStanev take sculpture park. which featuresalargeoutdoor the a bitoffthebeatentrack, is A fairlynewattraction, albeit we pickourtickets up. National Palace ofCulture when we’re allgoingtoseethe Eagle Bridge–andofcourse is fiveminutes’walkfrom the the NationalAssembly which inturnisnextdoorto of Arts the NationalAcademy Aleksandar Nevskiisnextto the famousCathedral ofSaint Text “UPDATES” to +447956121314 Sign upto Free Lions’FREESMS textservice Receive urgentinfo: Alexander NevskiCathedral Museum ofSocialist Art, of Sofia’s sightsonfoot: allows youtoseemost HE compactcitycentre THINGS TOSEEANDDO , which , 11:00, one ofthetrips, whichleaveat10:00, top ofBul. Vitosha) ingoodtimefor Justice/ the startingpointatPalace of reservations required, justturnupto English-speaking guide. There areno in twentyofthecity’s sights, withan free two-hourwalking tour, taking It’s exactlywhatitsnameimplies– a Sofia FreeWalking Tour. excellent value formoney: the had beensurprisinglygood, and that oneattractionwe’d suggested England fansreportedbacktous Last timewewerehere, some 14:00 (at the Sofia CourtHouse(atthe and 16:00

every day. Quiz PRODUCES FREELIONS of the city centre and check out of thecitycentreandcheckout It doesn’ttake longtoexploremost and cafesinthatarea. aside, thereareplentyofotherbars is off totherightonUl. Karnigradska , couple ofblocksfurtherdown, and in fact)isMcCarthy’s IrishPub;a around thecorner, onUl. Alabin At thetopendofstreet(just tables andchairs setupoutside. good numberofbars withtheir October, there shouldstillbea is startingtogetcoolerin Vitosha. Although theweather the citycentre, Bulevard runs northtosouththrough long pedestrianisedstreet that for themwouldbealongthe S Answers JJ Murphy’s; thoseIrishpubs as anytostartlooking bars, andasgoodaplace OFIA hasalotofsmall EATING &DRINKING A-Ha Emeli Sande Robbie Williams Throw it away it away Throw 10. 10. FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions Pop Stars: The Rivals 3. Rivals The Stars: 2. Pop restaurants andcafestoeatin, There areawidevariety of pats andofcoursestudents. and restaurantspopularwithex- there areanumberofcheapbars to ‘StudentTowncentre ’, where head furthersouth, outof thecity adventurous, youcouldalways If you’refeelingabitmore them outside, inpublic. incidentally, it’s notillegaltodrink bottled craftbeersavailable, and but ithasanimpressiverangeof it’s notabar, moreanoff-licence, ‘ beers mightalsowant tocheckout other barsonoffer. Loversofcraft Beera’ onBulevard Vitosha Coronation Street 6. Hannah Montana 9. (Page 6) (Page Friends 5. Friends Punk 8. Music Quiz ‘Up The 1. ‘Up The Junction’ 4. Television’) Your Away (‘Throw 7. 7. – Huddersfield Bury Ludogorets 6. then 10%isthegoingratefortips. charge hasbeenadded–ifnot, it, andlooktootoseeifa service “accidentally” foundtheirway onto make surenounordereditemshave checkingyourbillto worth It’s rather thanstarterfirst. places bringingitasit’s ready will comeineither, withmany guarantee whatorderyourdishes rather thanhot, andthere’s no of: foodtendstobeservedwarm, A coupleofthingstobeaware even Asian. and steak houses, Mediterraneanfood of porkandpizza–throughto from localBulgariancuisine–lots Joleon Lescott Salford City 4. 3. Bulevard Vitosha The Yeovil Town ball Town boys Yeovil The Brussels 5. 10. 10. Stockley Park 9. Town Town Iceland, 2-1 in the 1st knockout stage 8. stage 2-1 in the 1st knockout Iceland, Razgrad Football Quiz (Page 16) Quiz (Page Football 1. Spurs 2.

PAGE 13 GOLD STANDARD FROM STERLING AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH CLIVE HETHERINGTON? BY CLIVE HETHERINGTON CONTACT CLIVE VIA [email protected] 14 15

days later at Southampton’s St Sancho in the starting line-up against Mihaylov, in a letter to UEFA England have already suffered it, the attitude from some of the Mary’s Stadium. Kosovo: “I just expect a lot more and the Football Association, racist abuse during the current players – shocking.’’ PAGE PAGE from him because I know what he is said: “We have not received any qualifying campaign, with Wright said: “He gets himself into capable of and he does himself. official information regarding Montenegro being forced to play a But Keane also struck an upbeat holes like he does for City and he discriminatory language used by a home match behind closed doors note, adding: “The attitude was wants to threaten. Once he’s on the “In the first half against Bulgaria, Bulgarian supporter at Wembley. after the Three Lions were targeted much better in the second half. I ball, he’s taking people on. That’s I said he needed to step up and in in Podgorica in March. think they knew they were sloppy what gets the fans off their seats. the second half he did what we “Even if this were the case, in the first half but once they got know he can do. however, we believe that And England’s Nations League that second goal, it was game over. “He played fantastically against generalisations and the creation game in Croatia in October last It was just a case of how many Bulgaria. What he did with his goal “You get the ball with space to run of needless tension by official year was played behind closed they would score. was what he’s done for City in the into and you commit people. In the members of the English team is doors after a swastika was last two seasons. He ended up right second half, he came out and he was absolutely unacceptable and in scorched into the pitch at Split’s “You would love to be in Gareth’s in the middle of the goal and got very positive and that’s what you contradiction with the spirit of Poljud Stadium for a Euro 2016 position with the options he has, himself in front of the defender to want to see from him. That made a mutual respect and fair play, the qualifier with Italy. with players coming through, get on the end of the ball. It was a massive difference in the game.’’ core values of both UEFA and lots of quality, but there’s still Man. City run. the BFU.’’ Hopefully, all the attention here will that question mark defensively, But it wasn’t all good news be on football. Bulgaria may have especially when you’re trying to get AN WRIGHT reckons the “The way he plays for City, and after Bulgaria’s visit. The arrest, But the Vasil Levski Stadium is ultimately been outclassed first to the final of tournaments. reason Raheem Sterling has the way England are trying to play, and subsequent release without partly shut down for this game, and time around in this campaign, but Ibeen in unstoppable form suits him and he can score the charge, of a Bulgaria fan on the visit of the Czech Republic next Roy Keane was far from impressed “He’s got so many high-class for England is that Gareth same kind of goals.’’ suspicion of making racist month, as punishment for the racist with England’s performance in the problems, who he’s going to pick Southgate’s side are attempting comments – allegedly aimed at chants of Bulgaria fans during the opening half. and getting the chemistry right, but to play the Manchester City way. Co-ITV pundit Roy Keane said Sterling – was troubling. Euro qualifiers against the Czechs he’s on the right track, obviously.’’ that Manchester United’s Marcus and Kosovo in June. He said: “In the first half, players Ahead of the visit to the Czech Rashford, who won a penalty And England manager Southgate were too slow, took too many Republic, Sterling had racked up against Bulgaria, should be received criticism from the A section of 5,000 of the 46,340 touches, there was not good eight goals in as many games for “picking up tips’’ from Sterling. president of the Bulgarian seats are blocked off this time, and enough movement and not great his country. Not bad for a player Football Union for flagging up the 3,000 will be out of operation for body language. who scored only two in his first 45 The ex-United skipper said: possibility of racism from home the Czechs’ arrival. England appearances. “Sterling is affecting games. supporters here in Sofia. “We spoke before the game about Sometimes, the best example Sadly, England are no strangers England’s pace and movement And Arsenal striking legend Wright, for any player is one of your Bewigged Borislav ‘Bobby’ to abuse from Bulgaria fans. The and we didn’t see any of it – bar who netted nine goals in winning teammates, and Rashford can learn Mihaylov, the ex-Bulgaria BFU were hit with a £34,230 Sterling, he was the only one his 33 senior England caps, believes so much from Sterling, whether it goalkeeper better remembered fine by UEFA for “discriminatory playing with any sort of tempo. City forward Sterling is benefitting be training with him or watching for his ‘syrup’ than his spell with behaviour’’ on our last visit eight Gareth is quite a placid guy, but from the Three Lions adopting a him at close quarters. Reading, slammed Southgate for years ago for a Euro 2012 qualifier. he would have been fuming similar style to Pep Guardiola’s what he branded “groundless, watching that. Premier League champions. “It’s a great lesson and hopefully inappropriate and unnecessary’’ Immediately after England’s 3-0 he’s picking up tips, which we did see remarks in which the England boss win, Bulgaria’s then-coach – West “There was a bad attitude, it was Sterling struck in the 4-0 Wembley in the second half against Bulgaria.’’ said his players would “prepare’’ Germany’s 1990 World Cup- players being lazy. I’ve always said, win over Bulgaria last month and for how to respond to potential winning captain Lothar Matthaus – when the ball gets goalside of you, opened the scoring in the frenetic And Wright said of Rashford, who racism. It has been suggested they issued an apology for the conduct run back like your life depends on 5-3 victory against Kosovo three made way for two-goal Jadon could walk off the pitch. of some among the home support. it. Players were strolling through

o prizes, just free entertainment: we’ve hidden the surnames of the Bulgaria squad for this game in the Wordsearch grid. NIf you like you can amuse yourself by trying to find them. It makes no difference to us if you don’t bother, but you might find knowing what clubs they play for helpful… Nikolay MIHAYLOV Levski Plamen ILIEV Ludogorets Hristo IVANOV Etar N U F C K R A E V O H S A P K Strahil POPOV Kasimpasa E B H Q A L A N S H E A R E R Vasil BOZHIKOV Slovan Bratislava Georgi PASHOV Ararat-Armenia D K A R A G A R E N O V O N A Kamen HADZHIEV Akademia Puskas Y I D S I R B D E S P O D O V Kristian DIMITROV Botev Plovdiv Anton NEDYALKOV Ludogorets A H Z B I O V E H C V A L S O Ivan GORANOV Levski L S H L J O W A N D E R S O N Petar ZANEV CSKA-Sofia K P I G N O B S K I T E X H I Ivelin POPOV Rostov O E E A C G O J V M E F Q N D Kiril DESPODOV Sturm Graz Georgi KOSTADINOV Arsenal Tula V S V E N A Z O O I K F V I A Simeon SLAVCHEV Qarabag O I O P W Q H E P T O O N L T Georgi SARMOV Chemnitz Bozhidar KRAEV Gil Vicente N M N O T N I L O R U D Z E S Kristiyan MALINOV CSKA-Sofia A Q I E X I K W P O P O V C O MARCELINHO Ludogorets WANDERSON Ludogorets R I L W A V O N A V I S A R K Galin IVANOV Slavia O S A R M O V O T O Y A N A P

Vasil PANAYOTOV Cherno more G F M I H A Y L O V D O S M B Ismail ISA Cherno more Bircent KARAGAREN Lokomotiv Plovdiv

SCOUSE PHIL’S FREE LIONS FOOTBALL QUIZ (Answers on page 13)

Which team has England top flight, having won the league At the start of the season, 1 cricket hero Ben Stokes recently eight years in a row? 8 which team were fined said he supports, having been sent a £50,000 by the FA for wearing shirt by them with his name on? In Yeovil v Bromley on 28th a Paddy Power branded kit that 5 September, who were sent off broke advertising regulations? Wembley will now host seven for time-wasting by the referee? 2 games during the Euro 2020 VAR has been introduced into Finals after which city was stripped The 2019 FA Cup final 9 the Premier League this off its right to host games? 6 equalled the highest score in season, but where in West London the final, since which team, sadly is the VAR control room situated? Moor Lane is the home ground much in the news recently, beat 3 of which team who this Derby 6-0 in the 1903 final? I was born in Birmingham season are competing in the 10 in 1982 and played for Football League for the first time? Which team, playing in their various teams including Wolves, 7 first finals, knocked England out Everton and Manchester City, Who are the current of the 2016 Euro Finals in France? winning 26 England caps between 4 champions of the Bulgarian 2007 and 2013. Who am I?