Angry fans set stadium on fire

Football fans have vented their anger at their team copping a goal in the Bulgarian Cup final by launching a volley of flares, setting the parts of the stadium on fire as well as the pitch.

The Eastern European nation is no stranger to football-inspired hooliganism and Friday night's Bulgarian Cup final between Botev Plovdiv and Ludogrets Razgrad proved no exception.

Ludogrets took the lead in the 58th minute and as their fans celebrated Ultras from the rival team threw flares onto the pitch, setting advertising placards ringing the stadium on fire.

Amid the chaos a number of Ultras entered the pitch and stood with players as they watched the stadium burn.

The match was suspended for half an hour as fire trucks drove onto the field to extinguish the flames.

The match was eventually resumed and Ludogrets held on for the winning, completing a league and Cup double.

Damage to the stadium was estimated at almost $300,000 and Botev can expect to face severe penalties for some of their fans' behaviour.

It is unclear how the hooligans were able to bring so many flares to the game despite a heavy police presence and inspections prior to admission.