Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Lokomotiv Plovdiv handed crowd ban after fan violence

SOFIA (Reuters) - Lokomotiv Plovdiv have been ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors after crowd violence marred their 1-0 win over CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian league on Saturday.

The punishment, handed down by the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) disciplinary commission on Monday, will affect Lokomotiv's much-anticipated home game against Levski Sofia on Thursday.

The side from Plovdiv were also fined 13,000 levs (5,694.13 pounds) for the ugly scenes which resulted in a policeman being taken to hospital for a leg injury - an incident that has captured nationwide attention.

Lokomotiv fans clashed with CSKA supporters before the match, destroyed a fence and threw fireworks and other objects at the visiting supporters during the tense affair at the Lokomotiv stadium in the Plovdiv district of Lauta.

Matches between the two clubs have been highly charged affairs in recent years.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

In September, Lokomotiv played their home game against Lokomotiv Sofia behind closed doors after hooliganism marred their visit to newcomers Neftochimik Burgas on August 23.

Lokomotiv, the 2004 Bulgarian champions, are third in the standings with 28 points from 14 matches, three points behind leaders Litex Lovech.

Violence inside and outside stadiums has plagued Bulgarian football in recent seasons, endangering the safety of players and fans.

($1 = 1.4189 Bulgarian levs)

(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Rex Gowar)


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world