Since England’s game in Sofia the London-born midfielder has been racially abused by fans, including of his club CSKA Sofia
When Viv Solomon-Otabor stepped off the plane after returning from his first international call-up, his phone would not stop buzzing. The messages were not ones of congratulations for being part of the Nigeria squad that had faced Brazil but about the shocking racism at England’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria.
London-born Solomon-Otabor left Birmingham City for CSKA Sofia last summer in search of a new adventure after seven years at St Andrew’s. The midfielder’s early experiences in Bulgaria were enjoyable and the football was going so well he was called up by Nigeria for that friendly in Singapore. Since England’s visit to Sofia last October, however, the 24-year-old’s time in the country has been repeatedly soured by racist abuse, leaving him isolated.
Written by Will Unwin
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/27/viv-solomon-otabor-bulgaria-racially-abused-by-fans-cska-sofia-england under the title “Abused and isolated: how life soured for Viv Solomon-Otabor in Bulgaria”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
