The only Bulgarian fan to be charged in connection with racist abuse at the game with England has been released after it emerged he had a twin brother who was also at the match.
The NOVA television channel reported that a hearing at Sofia City Court heard Tzvetan Gechev, 18, was not even at the match.
A facial forensic examination confirmed witness testimony that his twin brother Dimitar was at the match, rather than Tzvetan, who had denied being at the game.
Dimitar told police they had got the wrong twin but they did not believe him.
England charged by @UEFA with fans disruption of the National athem & not having enough stewards for travelling fans.
— Saints Mike (@Saints_Mike7167) October 15, 2019
Bulgaria charged with racists behaviour chants & Nazi salutes, disruption of the a national athem and replays on the giant screen + throwing objects.
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Last week Dimitar said: "I went to the first district (police department) and said 'it was me’' But they deceived me and said that my brother admitted that he was at the match, that is not true."
Tsvetan, who was charged with aggravated racist behaviour, has a criminal record for causing bodily injury.
Sixteen people were arrested for Nazi salutes and racist chants during the England versus Bulgaria match but Tzvetan Gechev was the only one to be charged.
I see UEFA have bravely charged England for having flagrantly played a number of black players, which provoked the Bulgarian fans who would otherwise have behaved.
— Jamie Frost (@ospriet) October 15, 2019
After the match Bulgaria Football Association chief Borislav Mikhailov resigned after Prime Minister Boyko Borisov demanded he step down.
Four days later Bulgaria’s coach, Krasimir Balakov, resigned. He had been heavily criticised for saying he “didn’t hear anything” during the match.
Bulgaria are bottom of qualifying Group A, with no wins in seven games.
