‘Homosexual’ referee lost cup game

A Bulgarian football team lost a UEFA cup match because of a “homosexual” referee, according to the Levski Sofia team president.

Todor Batkov called Mike Riley a homosexual after he sent off one of his side’s strikers in an eventual loss to German club Schalke in the quarter finals of the European competition.

Mr Batkov said: “This British homosexual broke the game.”

Mr Riley was blamed after sending off Levski player, Sedrik Bardon, which led to a surrender of their 1-0 lead to finish the game 3-1 down.

The dismissal also shocked Bulgarian sport commentators and was seen as controversial by the head of the Bulgarian football union, Borisslav Mihaylov, he said: “The red card practically doomed the game.”