By Alexander Krassimirov
June 2 – Bulgarian CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia finally lost their professional status after the Appeals Committee of the Bulgarian Football Union confirmed the decision of its Licensing committee to refuse playing licenses to both clubs.
In total four clubs – CSKA Sofia, Lokomotiv Sofia, Haskovo and Marek Dupnitsa – were not granted licenses for the new season and were given a period of a week in which to appeal the decisions of the commission. The Appeal Committee turned down all the appeals.
That result is that players of all the teams are free agents and can look for other clubs without any financial penalties from existing contracts.
“The Appeals Committee confirms the decisions of Licensing committee to not issue licenses to CSKA, Lokomotiv Sofia, Marek Dupnitsa, which have been officially commiunicated to the European football association – UEFA. The complaint from Haskovo was not considered by the Appeal Committee, as it was not filed in time. Thus, for season 2015-2016 Bulgaria will be represented in the Champions League by Ludogorets and in the Europa League by the holder of the Cup of Bulgaria Cherno more, Beroe and Litex,” said the official statement from Bulgarian Football Union.
It is not yet clear what will become of CSKA and Lokomotiv Sofia. It is possible CSKA may acquire the license of another elite club in Bulgaria, enabling it to keep its place in the A group. If it takes this option then it must register as a new joint-stock company and change name.
Marek and Haskovo had already been relegated from the Bulgarian first division.
According to the Bulgarian Football Union, the entire list of decisions of the Licensing and Appeals committee must be submitted to the Executive committee to complete the licensing process. This meeting will take place later this month. The committee has the right to return the license for review.
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