Thousands of Bulgarian football supporters on Thursday took to the streets of the capital, Sofia, in protest over the management of the national football union, a demonstration that eventually turned violent. The Euro 2024 qualifying match between Bulgaria and Hungary fell victim to a bitter dispute between the management of the Bulgarian Football Union and football fans from across the Balkan country. Minutes before the kickoff, fans began to throw makeshift bombs, stones and plastic bottles at the police. After trash cans were set on fire, police responded with water cannons. Media reported that several protesters were injured. The last straw that infuriated the fans, whose anger had been simmering for a long time, came with the union’s decision to play Thursday’s match in front of empty stands at the national stadium in the capital. Some 1,600 police in riot gear were dispatched to secure the area around the empty stadium in downtown Sofia. The Bulgarian national team has failed to qualify for a major tournament for nearly two decades. After the latest two humiliating defeats by Albania and Lithuania in October, fans called for a nationwide protest, blaming the union’s managers for the poor results and calling for their resignations. In previous weeks, soccer fans have been shouting “Resign!” in the 18th minute of every championship match, addressing the president of the Bulgarian Football Union Borislav Mihaylov and his aides, who have been at the helm for the past 18 years. Fearing new riots against his leadership, last week Mihaylov asked Uefa, the governing body of European soccer, to order the game to be played behind closed doors due to exceptional circumstances. “The Bulgarian Football Union has provided Uefa with necessary guarantees from the relevant local authorities and stadium management in Sofia to host the match at the Vasil Levski National Stadium without spectators,” said a Uefa statement. Fans said the union’s move was “unprecedented”, as there is no other case in soccer history where a football union has voluntarily asked to host a football match without fans. The decision fueled anger not only amid Bulgarian fans. The state-run news agency BTA reported that many Hungarians with tickets decided to travel to Bulgaria regardless of whether they would be allowed into the stadium. As they had already planned their trip, they intended to join the Bulgarian fans’ protest, according to BTA. AP Read More Arteta charged by FA over criticism of officials after Newcastle defeat Lawrence Shankland’s last-gasp leveller rescues point for Scotland in Georgia Saudi Pro League sets sights on world’s best players Arteta charged by FA over criticism of officials after Newcastle defeat Lawrence Shankland’s last-gasp leveller rescues point for Scotland in Georgia Saudi Pro League sets sights on world’s best players

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David Moyes handed his Europa Conference League winners’ medal to his father after ending West Ham’s 43-year wait for a trophy. Jarrod Bowen’s dramatic last-minute goal sank Fiorentina 2-1 as the Hammers secured a first piece of silverware since 1980’s FA Cup, and a first European trophy since 1965, on a historic and emotional night in Prague. Moyes’ dad, 87-year-old David Snr, has been on every step of West Ham’s European tour and joined his son on the pitch after the final whistle. “He was the first one, I thought I should get it round his neck,” said the jubilant West Ham boss. “He’s watched a lot over the years and I hope he enjoyed it.” West Ham led through a Said Benrahma penalty on the hour but were immediately pegged back by Giacomo Bonaventura’s strike. But when Bowen chased Lucas Paqueta’s ball over the top, Moyes almost found himself going full Jose Mourinho. “The moment he went through I was edging down the touchline,” he added. “If it was going to be anyone, I thought ‘this is the moment’. “But I couldn’t do a full Mourinho knee slide as the grass was a bit dry and I’d have ended up on my belly.” Moyes has written his name in West Ham folklore, joining Ron Greenwood and John Lyall as trophy-winning Hammers managers. A place in next season’s Europa League means the club has qualified for Europe three campaigns in a row, for the first time. “I actually think the last two years have been an incredible journey,” he said. “It’s an incredible achievement to do so well in Europe, you look at some of the very good teams who find it a struggle. It’s great credit, we’ve turned a disappointing season into a super season.” Bowen has come a long way from beginning his career at non-league Hereford, and he is planning to party. “I’m so buzzing, all of us are just going to go mad I think,” he said. “You have to celebrate. “When the final whistle went I just thought ‘this party is going to be crazy’. “I’m just a little boy from Leominster who never thought I’d be talking like this. My family are crying and it just shows me how far I’ve come.” It was a memorable way to sign off for Declan Rice, destined to leave this summer but with the legacy of becoming only the third captain, along with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to lift silverware in the club’s 128-year history. I couldn't do a full Mourinho knee slide as the grass was a bit dry and I'd have ended up on my belly David Moyes The England midfielder has a year left on his contract, and West Ham hold the option of another, but Arsenal are poised to firm up their interest in the coming days. The only downside to West Ham’s big night was an object thrown from their end which left Cristiano Biraghi with a nasty cut on the back of his head, forcing referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande to briefly halt play while a message over the PA system implored the fans to stop throwing missiles. The club “unreservedly condemned” the incident while a UEFA inquest will follow with charges likely. It was a double cup disappointment for Fiorentina, who were only narrowly beaten 2-1 by Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia last month. “We lost two finals playing really well, and it’s a shame,” said coach Vincenzo Italiano. “Tonight, I honestly didn’t imagine it could finish like this.”