Peter Fotev has been a football referee since 2003. He has participated in more than 100 matches in all child, youth, adolescent and regional groups in Bulgaria. Sofia News Agency Editor Ivelina Puhaleva approached Mr Fotev over the Bulgarian trial of the British citizen Michael Shields, who was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment over an attempted murder, and just a week ahead of the Liverpool-CSKA clash in Sofia.
Q: Do you believe Bulgaria faces now the threat of British football hooliganism more than ever before in view with the 15-year-jail sentence on the fan of Liverpool Michael Shields?
A: I don't think that the sentence of Michael Shields could pose any serious threat against the order in Bulgaria. In every civilized country around the world the commitment of such grave crimes are pursued and sanctioned with the whole graveness of law. In this case, the substantial fact is not that the defendant is a British subject, or that the injured person is a Bulgarian citizen. All attempts to represent the problem in this light are not consistent and even dangerous.
Yet, we should not underestimate the danger of vengeance feelings with British football fans who are expected to come and visit sports events in Bulgaria. Let's not forget that in a week Sofia will host an important match between Bulgaria's CSKA and UK's Liverpool where thousands of British fans will heat up the sports passions. If these fans arrive here with the prejudice that an act of injustice was committed to a countryman of theirs, it is quite probable that their counteraction will incur aggression and vengeance towards both local police and ordinary football fans in Bulgaria. Then the pleasure of watching a marvelous sports event with one of greatest teams in Europe would be surely spoilt.
Q: How could Bulgarian referees avoid acts of vengeance by football fans in general?
A: The main obligation of each self-respecting football referee is to be objective on the playground. Fans on the stadium are very sensitive and always detect when a referee judges fairly and objectively and when "props up" either team. In the first case fans are prone to forgive and skip whatsoever mistakes the referee makes during the match, but in the second case fans are merciless. Therefore, only justified decisions and proper behaviour on the playground - and outside it - could pull up any acts of aggression.
British fans are worldwide known for being among the most understanding audience in football - the game invented by their predecessors. They are also the best in indulging in the game and I think that isolated acts of hooliganism could not mar the image of the British fan as an advocate of fair and beautiful football. The referee should guard that this sports feast of thousands of fans on the stadium and in front of television sets is not spoilt.
Q: Is the campaign launched by British media in defense of a fan of Liverpool who had nearly killed a man in Bulgaria justified?
A: To some extent, it is normal that British media stand in support for their countryman. But they should in no case exploit the patriotic feelings of Britons when it comes - as it is in this case - to an entirely juridical case. Bulgarian media, and Bulgarian public opinion as a whole, should also withhold from lashing back. Such a war would bring no benefits to either party. Bulgarian justice system must be released from this public strain - both external and internal - and left to function normally. This case should not go out of the courtroom. The rest is simply ugly speculations.
Q: Do you think sports should be involved in acts exposed as monstrous to the EU-bound future of Bulgaria?
A: The EU membership of Bulgaria is a political and economic issue above all. I believe the case with Michael Shields would not threaten the accession of the country into the Union. If you consider that acts of ultimate condescension towards nationals of EU member countries would pave the Bulgarian way into the EU, this is the wrong way. On the contrary, it is exactly now the moment to demonstrate that the Republic of Bulgaria is a state of the rule of law where the law is equal for all - Bulgarians and non-Bulgarians. I believe this is the only way that Bulgaria is adopted among the big European family with respect and dignity.
Q: If Michael Shields were a student of yours, what would you have told him in this situation?
A: I wish I never had a student as Michael Shields. If I had, I would have felt quite uncomfortably because it would mean that I have missed something in my work. May be I would have advised him to admit his guilt and stop stumbling justice.
In his case the most important thing is to find the objective truth and to punish the guilty party. Of course, Michael Shields is fully entitled to defense. If he truly realizes the gravity of his acts and sincerely repents doing so, he could hope for minor punishment. In any case, I would advise him to beg the pardon of injured Martin Georgiev and his family and find a way to compensate them for the moral and material damages incurred.
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