Dimitri Payet

Bulgaria's Vasil Bozhikov (down) in action against France's Dimitri Payet (top) during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifier in Sofia, Bulgaria, 7 October 2017. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

"I stand behind my words that my wish is to watch Bulgaria with Bulgarian players," Ivanov said on Wednesday after facing critical reactions in sports and social media. 

The Europa League game between Marseille and Galatasaray was interrupted for about 10 minutes after rival fans threw flares and firecrackers at each other at Stade Velodrome on Sept. 30. 

The match finished 0-0 but pockets of rival fans were fighting inside the stadium more than 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Medipol Başakşehir's Turkish midfielder Irfan Can Kahveci has been selected for the UEFA Champions League Team of the Week on Dec. 3 for his hat-trick against RB Leipzig Wednesday night.

UEFA announced the Champions League team of the week five on its website as Kahveci, 25, who scored three goals in Wednesday's match against Germany's Leipzig, was picked for it.

Olympiakos was eliminated from the Champions League when it slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Olympique de Marseille in Group C on Tuesday, with the two clubs left fighting for a Europa League spot.

The Europa League semi-final draw has been made, and Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the last four of the competition.

Arsene Wenger's side booked their spot in the semi-finals after seeing off CSKA Moscow in the last round, while they were impressive in knocking out AC Milan prior to that.