By Alexander Krassimirov
June 22 – The saga over the future of the Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has finally ended with the club suffering a similar the fate to that of Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers being relegated three divisions. CSKA will start next season in Bulgaria’s amateur leagues in the ‘A’ Regional group.
CSKA was banished from Bulgarian professional football after failing to obtain a license because of the huge tax debts owed to the National Revenue Agency, as well as debt to former players, officials, and managers.
The debt mountain of the Bulgaria’ most decorated club exceeded BGN 23 million (€12.5 million), a sum that had been built up in recent years by several different owners.
The club is now owned by Bulgaria’s richest man, Vasil Bozhkov (pictured), for the second time. The businessman said he will help the club climb back into Bulgaria’s elite again and start winning titles.
The budget for CSKA in amateur football will be BGN 3million (€1.5 million).
There were other options for CSKA, one of which was to acquire the license of another professional club, but after a meeting between Bozhkov and supporters of the team, the businessman decided against this route.
Bozhkov, in an open letter to fans, said: “CSKA no longer needs rescue, but revival. The way this can happen is only one – to turn to the traditions, created the most successful club in Bulgarian football history – namely, order and discipline.
“From today CSKA will work for CSKA. There will be changes in the way of running the 31 times champion of Bulgaria and they will be drastic. A lot of difficulties and obstacles are surmountable only if there is a common will and purpose behind which all connected with the club to stand.
“In the name of morality and legality CSKA will begin its revival from ‘A’ Regional Championship.”
In the past two months the position of Bozhkov, who had been invited repeatedly to return as the owner of CSKA, has been unclear.
After a meeting with representatives of the supporters groups this weekend, Bozhkov formally declared his position and that he will support the club in its return to the elite of Bulgarian and European football.
Details about the structure and new organisation of CSKA Sofia will be announced next week.
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