Bulgarian police detained 45 Red Star Belgrade fans in connection with violence before their Champions League’s third qualifying match’s first leg at Ludogorets yesterday.

Skirmishes broke out in the Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach and two police officers sustained injuries, police department in the southeastern town of Burgas said in a statement.

Five more citizens, trying to help police restore order, were also injured.

Prosecutors in Burgas have opened pre-trial proceedings regarding the incidents.

Ludogorets, who have won five successive Bulgarian league title, drew 2-2 with the 1991 European Cup winners Red Star in Razgrad last night.

The second leg is next week.

The Eagles, as Ludogorets are known, have already knocked out a Serbian opposition – Partizan Belgrade – in the Champions League’s third qualifying round on two occasions in the past three years.

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