Levski coach Julio Velazquez fined for breaking stadium glass

Levski Sofia coach Julio Velazquez has received a relatively light penalty from the Bulgarian Football Union following an outburst during a 0-0 draw against Botev Vratsa. In the final minutes of the match, Velazquez broke a glass panel on the substitute bench with his fist.

The disciplinary commission ordered Levski to pay for the repairs to the Hristo Botev Stadium in Vratsa and fined Velazquez 210 euros for provocative behavior. This decision allows the coach to continue managing the team from the sidelines.

The incident has sparked discussions regarding disciplinary standards in Bulgarian football compared to major European leagues. In leagues such as the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, or the Bundesliga, similar acts of vandalism or violent conduct typically result in much harsher sanctions, including multi-match bans and significantly higher fines.