Bulgarian coach faces heavy punishment for attacking referees
SOFIA: Bulgarian coach Atanas Dzhambazki is facing a severe punishment after attacking two of the match referees at the end of his team Kariana Edren’s 2-1 home loss to Strumska Slava in the Balkan country’s second division on Saturday. The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) will discuss the incident early next week after watching video footage, officials said. Incensed Dzhambazki appeared to lose his temper and invaded the pitch after the visitors scored the winning goal in the 90th minute after referee Ivaylo Nenkov awarded a free kick. Assistant referee Georgi Velikov tried to defend Nenkov, standing in front of him only to be punched in the face twice and hit in the chest by Dzhambazki. The 49-year-old Dzhambazki, who previously coached several first division teams including Slavia Sofia and Montana, was escorted off the pitch by two policemen. The referee blew the final whistle shortly after the incident. Dzhambazki and his club declined to comment. A number of officials, including UEFA referees, have been attacked in Bulgaria in recent years during which the domestic championship has been marred by widespread accusations of corruption. The BFU and referees in the Black Sea state are facing widespread criticism from clubs, media and fans for allegedly favouring certain teams, including Ludogorets, who won the title seven times in a row after clinching their maiden top flight promotion in 2011. (Reuters)
Aguero leads Manchester City’s 6-1 rout of Huddersfield in EPL
MANCHESTER: Argentine star Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed Huddersfield Town 6-1 in English Premier League football action on Sunday. Even without Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who is sidelined for the next three months due to a right knee injury, the reigning champions showed no sign of weakness. Huddersfield’s resistance lasted only 25 minutes, following which Aguero opened the scoring after seizing on a long pass from Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, punishing Huddersfield’s English net minder Ben Hamer for leaving his goal early, reports Efe. Just five minutes later, Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus doubled City’s lead when he took advantage of the defence’s failure to clear the ball at the edge of the area. It took Aguero another five minutes to make the score 3-0, as he made Hamer pay for failing to catch a cross by French left back Benjamin Mendy. (IANS)
East Bengal footballers collect funds for Kerala flood victims
KOLKATA: In a show of solidarity for the flood-ravaged Kerala, city soccer giants East Bengal raised funds from the spectators after their Calcutta Football League game against Aryan Club on Saturday night. Striker Joby Justin, who hails from Kerala, was at the fore front as the red and gold brigade players held a banner which read ‘Save Kerala, save humanity’ and went around the entire ground to collect funds after the game which they won 3-0. East Bengal’s Laldanmawia, who was named Man of the Match, for his superb all-round show, also dedicated the award to the flood victims. “I will remember this for my entire life.” said Justin. (IANS)