By Alexander Krassimirov
March 21 – Levski Sofia owner Todor Batkov (pictured) has stopped player wages until the end of the season. The lawyer was furious at the club’s elimination from the Cup of Bulgaria, which means that Levski will remain without any trophy in its jubilee season.
Batkov gave a 50-minute interview live on national Darik radio where he expressed his anger and also outlined the ownership position of the club. Before the inteview supporters groups had issued a statement calling for Batkov to sell the team. The lawyer, however, revealed that Levski is not for sale. He said that in the last ten years has invested Leva 41 million (€20,5m) in the club.
“I’m going to stop paying the salaries of the first team players,” said Batkov.
“There are 11 games to the end of the season. These games are games of Honor. The players have to prove they are men. The ones who deliver and die (for the team) on the field, then he will receive the reward. Whoever doesn’t like that – they can go to hell.”
Batkov added that the monthly budget for salaries is around Leva 500,000 (€250.000), and the highest monthly salary is Leva 30,000 (€15,000).
“I can not say what the price of Levski is, because the club is not for sale. In the last ten years, that pleasure (owning the club) has cost me Leva 41 million (€20.5 million), of which Leva22 million is financing that I or companies related to me have provided to the club. I do not take from Levski, I give to Levski.”
Batkov also expressed concerns about the club’s only sponsor Mtel, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The lawyer said that the two sides still have not reached agreement on a new contract.
Yesterday the club announced it is switching its kit sponsor from Germanys Puma to Spain’s Joma for the start of next season.
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