CSKA Sofia close part of ground after abusive chants

SOFIA, April 18 (Reuters) - Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia have shut one end of their ground following abusive chants aimed at the club's owner and officials.

'We will not allow fans in the stand because we do not want to tolerate a small group of instigators who claim to be CSKA supporters,' CSKA said in a statement.

The stand, which holds about 5,000 people, will be empty when CSKA host Marek Dupnica on Wednesday. CSKA are level on points with leaders Levski Sofia after a 2-0 home win against relegation-threatened Pirin 1922 on Saturday.

CSKA owner Vasil Bozhkov, considered the richest man in the Balkan country, was the target of angry chants during Saturday's game.

Bozhkov angered CSKA supporters by sacking Serbian coach Miodrag Yesic two weeks ago. Yesic was a big fan favourite despite allowing bitter rivals Levski to wipe out CSKA's seven-point lead.

'It is absurd,' said the chairman of CSKA fan club, Dimitar Angelov. 'They can kick us out of the stands but they cannot shut us up.

'They can not force us to stop supporting the team. We will go everywhere with the team and we will continue to support the players.'

Another CSKA supporter said: 'This is madness. Can you imagine Liverpool closing the Kop? It's really inexplicable.'