Bulgaria issues licenses to enable clubs to play but BFU  will monitor debt repayments closely

May 25 – Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia received a ‘conditional’ license for the next season but will be under constant monitoring by the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU).
The club has debts of over BGN 11 million (€5,5 million) to the National Revenue Agency (NRA). The BFU said it will track whether Levski regularly pays its debts to the state. The monthly instalment to the NRA is approximately BGN 140,000 (€70 000).

“The Executive Committee approved the decisions of the Licensing Commission from May of this year, according to which Ludogorets, CSKA, Slavia, Botev Plovdiv, Lokomotiv Plovdiv, CSKA 1948 receive a license to participate in the UEFA European Club Tournaments for the 2023/2024 season.

“Beroe, Cherno more and Levski (the latter with a conditional license and will be in monitoring mode). Botev Vratsa, Septemvri Sofia, Lokomotiv Sofia, Arda, Spartak Varna, Pirin Blagoevgrad, Hebar, Etar, Montana and Krumovgrad received a license to participate in the First League for the 2023/2024 season,” the Bulgarian Football Union said.

Last month, the owner of Levski Sofia, Nasko Sirakov, founded  the ‘Levski Business Club’, whose aim is to attract companies and businessmen who wish to support the club financially in order to cope with the cash crisis.

“I was invited to this business club. I confirmed that I will join. They expect an income of 15 million BGN. I spoke with several people who also have financial opportunities. They are also ready to help. This is not beyond our strength. We talk about 150 people, which to pay BGN 100,000 each. I think there are that many – I know at least 15-20. But we need to find an approach, to talk to them, to light the fire they carry in their hearts,” said the former owner of Levski Todor Batkov, who is also part of the newly formed business club.

Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimrov, at oc.ll1735219950abtoo1735219950fdlro1735219950wedis1735219950ni@of1735219950ni1735219950,