Matthaeus says sorry for racial abuse in Sofia

Sofia: Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaeus issued an apology after a section of home fans aimed racist abuse at England winger Ashley Young during a Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday.

After the Group G tie, won 3-0 by the visitors, a spokesman said the English Football Association had reported the incident to European soccer`s governing body UEFA. "We`ve raised it with the Bulgarian Football Federation and the UEFA delegate," the FA spokesman told reporters. "That`s all we`re saying about it." Former Germany playmaker Matthaeus said: "I didn`t hear it but it is pitiful for such things to happen. I would like to apologise on behalf of the federation." Manchester United winger Young played for 62 minutes before being replaced by James Milner. It is not the first time a black player from an English team has been targeted in Bulgaria. In 2005 CSKA Sofia supporters were heard aiming monkey noises at Liverpool`s French striker Djibril Cisse during a Champions League match. Bureau report