Fans cut tyres of CSKA Sofia player's car after he forgives them for racially abusing him

CSKA Sofia winger Toni Silva (R) interacts with fans

CSKA Sofia’s Toni Silva used the club’s website to proclaim that he forgives fans who called him a “monkey” and insulted him. However, the ultras were not happy with his remarks as they slashed the tires of his car hours after the statement, while the player was training with his teammates.

Players of the Bulgarian club were summoned by a section of the fans in the stadium after they lost to Lokomotiv Sofia on Sunday. Some of the players were forced to take off their jerseys while the Portuguese winger was insulted and subject to racial abuse.

Despite being called a "monkey", Silva released a statement on the club's official website saying that he is not angry at the supporters and said that he "understood the emotion of the fans".

He wrote in the open letter:

“I love CSKA and its fans. What happened after the match with Lokomotiv Sofia, was not pleasant. But nevertheless I can understand the emotion of our fans. I'm disappointed and I'm not happy with the loss, but this is football. What happened between me and some supporters was not racist and there are no serious arguments to be called that way. I will forgive those fans who screaming at me and insulted me.”

- Toni Silva

According to reports, the player was forced to release this statement to pacify the fans and prevent the club from heavy fines by the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU).

During the match, the fans also raised a flag depicting the Nazi symbol – the tilted Swastika. However, the club is likely to face sanctions for this after the incidents from the match will be looked at by the disciplinary commission of the BFU.

The Nazi symbol that the CSKA Sofia fans displayed during the match