By Alexander Krassimirov
December 19 – The owner of the Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia Todor Batkov (pictured) has announced that the club’s budget for next year will amount to BGN 8 million (€4 million), BGN 6 million of which will be spent on club salaries – players and officials.
Batkov admitted that the club is in a very poor financial position and there may be problems with passing the financial licensing criteria for entry to European tournaments. The coming week is crucial for the club as Batkov will hold meetings with three sponsors who he hopes will provide most of the budget for next year.
Batkov, a lawyer, added that he will keep his promise and will provide 15% of his shares to the club’s supporters. However, they will be required to provide an sum of annual BGN 1 million (€500 000) to support the club. It is expected that both sides will sign a contract soon.
“I will not hide that the financial situation of Levski is very difficult. There are delayed salaries of players and staff, but I hope to stabilize (the situation). I’m tired, but do not give up. See what is the situation in Bulgaria and in other countries where I have business, like Russia. Over the next week I will hold talks with three sponsors,” said Batkov after the club’s annual general meeting.
“Although it is difficult, we must resolve the issue with the (European) license. I can not let Levski not play in tournaments because of an ungiven license. That’s it but we have a problem, definitely,” he added.
The meeting agreed that representatives of the National Club of supporters of Levski and the trust Blue Bulgaria will become members of the Governing Board of the club.
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