Former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew quits CSKA Sofia job following racist abuse directed at players by own fans

Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has resigned from his role as manager and technical director of Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia after his players were subjected to racist abuse from their own fans.

The 60-year-old joined CSKA Sofia in November 2020 as technical director before moving back into the dugout earlier this year in April.

However, just over a month later, the former Newcastle boss has quit both of his roles with the club after banana's were thrown at a number of his players ahead of CSKA Sofia's game against Botev Plovdiv in May by their own fans.

A report from Sky Sports read: "Alan Pardew has walked away from his role as manager and technical director of CSKA Sofia with immediate effect after a section of supporters targeted their own teams black players with racist abuse.

"The team lost the Bulgaria cup final to their rivals Levski Sofia last month and after talks with the clubs owner, Pardew planned to stay on and take charge of the team next season. However, a week after the cup final, the team arrived to play one of their remaining league games against Botev Plovdiv where they were met by a large number of angry fans outside the stadium.

"Four black players were subject to racist abuse and had bananas thrown at them. They initially refused to play the game but were later persuaded to do so. Sky Sports News understands Pardew was angered by that and upset by the incident.

"He sought urgent talks with the clubs bosses and in the light of that, he has decided with assistant Alex Dyer, who is the first black man to hold a coaching role at the club, to move away."